SPAIN is bracing for a tale of two weather systems this Sunday, with clusters of thunderstorms forecast to break out across parts of the country as the south swelters amid a relentless ongoing heatwave.
From midday onwards, thick storm clouds are expected to form, especially in mountainous areas.
That means thunderstorms and the possibility of heavy showers in the north, centre and south-east of the peninsula.
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Forecasters at state meteorological agency Aemet have issued yellow weather alerts for northern Catalunya and inland Valencia, warning that unstable conditions could lead to severe thunder, lightning and up to 15mm of rainfall in just one hour.
The heaviest downpours could occur in southern Aragon and northern Valencia, with around 20mm expected to fall in a matter of minutes.
Some of the storms could even provoke adverse weather events, such as violent downbursts which lead to sudden wind gusts exceeding 90km/h.
A downburst is a powerful, localised column of sinking air that rapidly drops from a thunderstorm.
Upon slamming into the ground, the air spreads out horizontally in all directions, creating powerful ‘straight-line’ winds.
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But the weather is set to be very different in southern Spain, where expats will instead be lathering on the sun lotion as a record-breaking heatwave continues to push temperatures up to summer-like highs.
Aemet have activated yellow weather alerts for several inland provinces of Andalucia for unseasonably intense heat.
The warning covers Sevilla, Cordoba, Moreno y Condado and Valle del Guadalquivir, where the mercury could climb to a scorching high of 40C in the afternoon.
The alert is in place from 2pm to 8pm on Sunday.
The hot weather will carry on into next week, with alerts remaining in place for Monday warning of 39C highs.
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