Storm Francis is making its way to southern Spain and promises a wet start to 2026 across Sevilla, Malaga and elsewhere.
According to early forecasts, the storm will enter the Iberian Peninsula on Friday January 2, with its effects to be felt properly in Malaga the following day.
In more western provinces such as Huelva, Sevilla and Cadiz, however, the storm is expected to arrive from January 1.
Spots of showers are already being forecast across Andalucia on the night of New Year’s Eve, including on the Costa del Sol.
The timing has raised concerns about potential disruption to Three Kings celebrations, particularly the traditional parades held on the evening of Sunday January 5.
However, Aemet has stressed that it is still too early to make firm predictions.
Jesus Riesco, director of Aemet in Malaga, has said that Saturday and Sunday are currently expected to be the wettest days, with rain that could be locally heavy in some areas.
He also did not rule out the possibility that the storm could begin to affect the province late on Friday.
Forecast models indicate that rainfall probabilities will peak during the second half of Saturday, especially in the western half of the province.
In areas closer to Cadiz, the chance of rain could reach 90%, while central parts of Malaga province are expected to see probabilities of around 80%.
Further east, the likelihood remains high, with figures of roughly 75% around Antequera and 70% in Nerja.
Similar conditions are expected to persist through Sunday, although rainfall chances may gradually ease towards the end of the day.
Looking ahead to Monday January 5, Riesco explained that the storm system may begin to move away gradually, but warned that even small shifts in its trajectory could significantly alter the forecast.
‘At this stage, everything is still subject to change,’ he said, adding that clearer guidance will only be possible closer to the date.
Aemet is more confident about a sharp drop in temperatures on January 5 and 6, as a cold air mass is expected to move in behind the storm.
From early next week, temperatures are expected to fall noticeably across Andalucia.
