The extreme winds forced the closure of schools, the cancellation of non-urgent medical activity, and widespread transport disruptions across the region. More than 100 flights were canceled at Barcelona’s El Prat airport, while rail services were suspended or delayed. Authorities also restricted truck traffic near the French border as gusts reached up to 166 kilometers (103 miles) per hour. Emergency services in Catalonia received nearly 6,000 calls during the wind episode, the highest number ever recorded for such an event, according to regional authorities.
As Storm Nils subsided, a second storm system named Oriana moved into the region on Friday. Large areas of eastern and northern Spain remain under orange or yellow alerts for wind, rain, snow, and coastal storms through the weekend. Spain’s national weather agency, Aemet, has placed parts of Castellon province in the Valencia region under a red alert, warning of “hurricane-force” winds exceeding 140 kilometers (87 miles) per hour on Saturday. Emergency management authorities have issued an ES-Alert, urging the public to avoid travel in the affected areas due to the red alert for heavy rains and high winds.
The successive storm systems have also worsened flooding conditions across southern Spain, particularly in the regions of Castile-La Mancha and Andalusia. Authorities in these areas have stated that the cumulative impact of the repeated storms has been unprecedented, with heavy rainfall contributing to rising water levels and localized inundation. The meteorological situation remains volatile as the transition between the two storm systems continues to drive extreme weather conditions across the Iberian Peninsula.
The red alert in Valencia represents the highest level of warning issued by Spanish meteorological services, indicating a very high risk to life and property. The winds are expected to peak on Saturday before gradually easing, though residual effects including wet surfaces, fallen trees, and potential power outages may persist. Monitoring will continue through the weekend to assess any further developments from Storm Oriana and to coordinate emergency response efforts in both the Valencia and southern regions.
