Andalucia is facing a dramatic clash of weather extremes on Thursday.
Orange warnings have been issued for both extreme heat in the west and severe thunderstorms, torrential rain and potentially large hail in the east.
State weather agency Aemet has activated a series of warnings across the region, with the most serious conditions expected from early afternoon into the evening.
While Sevilla and Cordoba are bracing for another day of punishing heat, parts of Almeria and Granada are under alerts for thunderstorms and intense downpours capable of dumping 30mm of rain in just one hour.
Aemet’s national forecast warns that storms developing across the mountains of eastern Andalucia could become strong and produce hail and very strong wind gusts.
Orange alerts for severe storms in Almeria and Granada
Among the areas facing the most volatile weather is Valle del Almanzora y Los Velez in Almeria province.
An orange warning, classified by AEMET as an ‘important danger’, is in force from 1pm until 8.59pm for both rain and thunderstorms.
Up to 30mm of rain could fall in a single hour, while Aemet warns that the storms could be accompanied by very strong gusts of wind and large hail.
A similar orange warning covers Guadix and Baza in Granada province, again for rainfall of up to 30mm in one hour and severe thunderstorms.
The warning there also runs from 1pm until 8.59pm.
The sudden downpours mean some areas could receive a substantial amount of rainfall in an extremely short period, while the combination of hail and violent gusts could make individual storms particularly hazardous.
Other parts of Granada are also under lower-level warnings. In the Cuenca del Genil, Aemet has issued yellow alerts for thunderstorms and extreme heat, with maximum temperatures forecast to reach 39C and locally 40C. Storms there could also bring very strong gusts and hail.
40C heat in Sevilla and Cordoba
At the same time, residents hundreds of kilometres to the west will be dealing with a completely different weather hazard.
Aemet has placed the Campiña sevillana under an orange warning for extreme temperatures, with the mercury forecast to reach 40C.
The warning runs between 1pm and 8.59pm on Thursday.
The Campiña cordobesa is also under an orange heat warning during the same period, with highs again expected to reach 40C.
Meanwhile, the Valle del Guadalquivir in Jaen is under an orange warning for maximum temperatures of 40C, alongside a yellow warning for thunderstorms which could bring hail and very strong winds.
The contrasting warnings mean parts of Andalucia could be enduring dangerous heat at the same time as neighbouring areas are hit by potentially violent summer storms.
Cadiz also facing extreme heat
The heat warnings extend into Cadiz province, although at a lower level.
Aemet has placed the Campiña gaditana under a yellow warning between 1pm and 8.59pm, with maximum temperatures expected to reach 38C.
The wider forecast points to an unstable afternoon across eastern and inland Spain, where daytime heating is expected to trigger developing cloud followed by showers and thunderstorms.
The most intense storms in Andalucia are expected over the mountainous east, making conditions particularly unpredictable in inland areas of Almeria and Granada.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
