Holidaymakers in Spain are facing severe weather warnings after storms and torrential rainfall battered parts of the country – leaving streets flooded and cars submerged.
In the city of Tarazona, located in the northeastern province of Zaragoza, a whopping 100mm of rain fell in just one hour on 11 July, overwhelming drainage systems and prompting a red alert along the Ebro River, which runs through the city.
The downpour has left parts of the city waterlogged, with video footage showing cars submerged and roads turned into temporary rivers.
Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has since issued storm and hail warnings across 25 provinces, with eight locations – including popular tourist hubs like Barcelona, Girona, and Tarragona – placed under orange-level alerts.
The storms have been particularly disruptive in northern Spain, where the terrain – made up of valleys and ravines – is especially vulnerable to flash flooding.
AEMET has warned that regions in Aragon and Catalonia could see as much as 50 litres per square metre of rain in the coming days, reports Chronicle Live.
Local emergency crews have responded to over 30 weather-related incidents since last week, including blocked roads, uprooted trees, and flooded buildings.
While no injuries or fatalities have been reported so far, the Military Emergency Unit (UME) has been deployed to support rescue operations in towns throughout the Zaragoza province.
Holidaymakers in Spain are facing severe weather warnings after storms and torrential rainfall battered parts of the country – leaving streets flooded and cars submerged
Members of the Spanish Army’s Emergency Military Unit (UME) work in a flooded road near the village of Grisen, Aragon, northeastern Spain, on 12 July
Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has since issued storm and hail warnings across 25 provinces, with eight locations – including popular tourist hubs like Barcelona, Girona, and Tarragona – placed under orange-level alerts
The severe weather conditions could potentially disrupt holiday plans for many British holidaymakers who are set to visit Spain this summer.
Other tourist hotspots such as Alicante and Valencia have also been issued weather warnings, while the Balearic Islands remain on yellow alert.
Despite the storms in the north and east, southern and southeastern parts of Spain are experiencing the opposite extreme of sweltering heat.
Regions such as Murcia, Alicante, inland Andalusia, and parts of Extremadura are forecast to see temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius, marking a stark weather divide across the country.
AEMET has released fresh heatwave warnings across Spain, with most of the country under a yellow hot weather warning while some areas are under amber warnings.
It comes after Greece was hit with a severe heatwave which has led to one of its biggest tourist attractions closing for the afternoon.
The Acropolis was closed from 1-5pm on Tuesday, 8 July, as temperatures soared to 38 degrees in Athens.
Outdoor labourers and food delivery workers were also ordered to take a break in the afternoons by the Greek Government.
A flooded road near the village of Grisen, Aragon, northeastern Spain, 12 July 2025
Local emergency crews have responded to over 30 weather-related incidents since last week, including blocked roads, uprooted trees, and flooded buildings
The Government has also urged employers to provide remote working options for staff due to concerns over the heat.
Tourists have been urged to take care in the hot weather and issued a warning over wildfires.
The British Foreign Office said: ‘There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October.
‘Ensure that your mobile phone is registered to receive emergency alerts to be warned of wildfires near your location. Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable.’
