Strong convective system leaves parts of Spain under water

A big low pressure area that was affecting Iberian Peninsula since November 1, 2015, has brought heavy downpours to many parts of Spain, causing river overflows and flash floods across the country. 4 people have been reported dead and another 5 injured, as of November 3.

An embedded linear Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) developed over Spain on November 2, bringing excessive rainfall, strong wind gusts and local hailstorms, Meteo Europe reported. The weather system has caused severe flooding across the affected areas, due to torrential downpours and river overflows.

Big convection over Spain, an embedded linear MCS moving in a NNW direction. Cloud top temperatures exceeding -70 ºC (-94 ºF). Image credit: noa.gr via Meteo Europe

The river Sió in north eastern Spain overflew the Agramunt town in Catalonia, on the morning of November 3 (local time). The raging flood water inundated a nursing home, and 4 people have lost their life in this incident, while 5 more reported injuries. A 3 day mourning period has been proclaimed in the town by the local government.

72-hr of accumulated rainfall as observed by GPM Core Observatory. Image credit: Google/NASA/JAXA GPM

156 mm (6.1 inches) of rainfall was recorded in Embalsde de Buseo Observatory, 151 mm (5.9 inches) in Benafigos, 146 mm (5.7 inches) in Castellfort, 140 mm (5.5 inches) in Catí and 138.2 mm (5,4 inches) in Siete Aguas. In general, large parts of Spain received over 100 mm (3.9 inches) of rainfall, according to AEMET, while others received more than 40 mm (1.6 inches) of accumulated precipitation in a period between November 1 and 2.

A funnel cloud in Albacete, Spain, November 2, 2015. Image credit: Mario Miranda/Meteo Albacete via Meteo Europe

A funnel cloud was reported in Chinchilla de Monte-Aragon‬, Albacete on November 2.

Storm damage has been reported across the southeast coast of Spain, including Malaga, Alicante, Zaragoza, Calasparra and Valencia.

Flooded streets in Zaragoza, Spain, November 2, 2015. Image credit: Meteo Aragon via Meteo Europe

Extreme weather conditions in Moncada, Valencia, Spain, November 2, 2015. Image credit:@ros_inma/@Tiempo_Valencia via Meteo Europe

The affected parts of Spain suffered one of the worst storms in the last 20 years, as 29 provinces, out of 50, were on alert for torrential rain, Floodlist reports.

Featured image: Inundated streets of Zaragoza, Spain, November 2, 2015. Image credit: Meteo Aragon via Meteo Europe