Storm Harry will form over the Mediterranean at the beginning of next week and, starting on Monday afternoon, will bring a maritime storm with very strong gusts of wind, rainfall that may be locally heavy and very persistent, as well as heavy snowfall in mountainous areas, especially in the south and east of Catalonia, the Valencian Community and southern Aragon, according to a press release issued by the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET).
The agency explained that the establishment of a blocking pattern over Europe will lead in the coming days to the elongation of a trough at high altitude and the subsequent descent of a cold drop over the mainland, which will eventually form Storm Harry. At the same time, an intense, very humid easterly flow will establish itself over the northern half of the Mediterranean area of the mainland and the Balearics, leading to a succession of rain, waves, wind and snow in the mountains in certain areas of the eastern mainland.
‘This may cause damage to promenades and coastal areas, as well as falling branches or trees and vulnerable or dilapidated architectural elements. The rains may also cause river flooding and localised flooding, especially in low-lying areas,’ warned AEMET. AEMET has forecast that the peak days of the storm will be Monday 19 and Tuesday 20, when it considers it likely that the humid east and northeast wind will intensify around the Balearic Sea. According to AEMET, this will affect the Mediterranean coast of the mainland and the islands, with a significant worsening of sea conditions and likely very strong gusts in coastal areas.
It added that the most intense and persistent rainfall on Monday is likely to occur in areas of eastern Catalonia and that throughout Tuesday it will move towards areas of southern Aragon and the Valencian Community, as well as the Balearics. The agency expects the highest accumulations to occur in the windward areas of the eastern Pyrenees, the coastal and pre-coastal mountain ranges of Catalonia and the south-eastern Iberian system.
It has also warned that this could affect river headwaters and ravines and leave significant snow accumulation at altitudes above 1200-1400 m. From Wednesday 21 onwards, the forecast suggests that the rainfall may lose intensity and subside in the Mediterranean area, as will the storm at sea, which will tend to ease off throughout the day. It warns that there is high uncertainty about the areas most affected by the rainfall given the nature of the episode, so it recommends paying special attention to forecast updates in the coming days.