Storm Francis to Bring Rain, Snow, and Rough Seas to the Region This Weekend
Heavy rainfall, falling snow levels, and waves of up to four metres expected from Saturday until earrly Tuesday,
Storm Francis is set to bring a spell of unsettled weather to our region over the coming days, with rain, snow, and rough seas in the forecast. A low-pressure system will cross the Gibraltar Strait on Sunday, driving strong northeasterly winds. Rain is forecast to begin on Saturday, affecting El Comtat, Marina Alta, mountainous areas of Marina Baixa, and l’Alcoià.
Rainfall will become more widespread on Sunday and Monday, with the heaviest accumulations expected in the areas mentioned above and, at the time of writing, the state meteorological agency AEMET has issued a yellow warning valid from midnight Saturday 4th until midday Sunday 5th. Total rainfall during the episode could exceed 100 litres per square metre in some locations. Conditions are expected to ease during the early hours or morning of Three Kings’ Day, Tuesday 6th January.
In addition, snow levels will drop throughout Sunday as a very cold air mass moves in, and snowfall cannot be ruled out in some inland towns. Snow levels may fall even further on Monday night and into Tuesday morning. It should be noted, however, that predicting snow levels in this region is particularly difficult due to the many variables involved. It is not unusual for snow to fall in one valley while rain falls in a neighbouring one at the same altitude. For this reason, no specific local snowfall forecasts have been issued at this time, especially given how changeable conditions remain. That said, the most significant snow accumulations are expected in mountainous areas.
Sea conditions will also deteriorate over the weekend, with waves exceeding two to three metres and some potentially rising above four metres.
