Summary
- Alicante and many municipalities experienced a wet thermal downburst causing heavy rain, wind gusts near 100 km/h, and sudden incidents.
- Classes were suspended in about 20 municipalities including Alicante, Elche, Torrevieja, Benidorm, and Callosa de Segura.
- Emergency services removed fallen trees, managed traffic disruptions, and repaired damages like teh collapse of a football field wall in Callosa.
- The state Meteorological Agency (AEMET) issued alerts forecasting up to 40 liters/m² of rainfall in an hour for Alicante and orange warnings in Mallorca.
- Authorities advised teleworking, closing parks, cultural venues, and public monuments like the Santa Bárbara castle as precautionary measures.
Alicante Faces Sudden Wet Thermal Downburst Triggering Emergency Protocols
This tuesday morning, Alicante and much of its province woke up to remarkable weather alerts after a sudden wet thermal downburst triggered intense showers, violent wind gusts, and multiple incidents within minutes. Local authorities swiftly responded by suspending classes in numerous municipalities and activating emergency services to manage the disruptions caused by the abrupt storm.
What is a Wet Thermal Downburst?
A wet thermal downburst is a meteorological phenomenon originating in a thunderstorm cloud (usually cumulonimbus) characterized by powerful, descending cold air currents. When this cold air hits the ground, it spreads rapidly in all directions, producing strong wind gusts accompanied by intense rainfall. Unlike dry downbursts, the wet version includes heavy precipitation and sudden temperature changes, leading to impactful and short-lived weather events.
Key Impacts and Measures Taken
- Suspension of Classes: Approximately 20 municipalities suspended educational activities,including infants,primary,secondary,and vocational training sectors. Notable affected cities include alicante, Elche, Torrevieja, Benidorm, and Callosa de Segura.
- Public Facilities Closed: Municipal parks, cultural venues, and landmarks such as the Castillo de Santa Bárbara in Alicante were closed to ensure public safety.
- Emergency Response: Firefighters and road services cleared fallen trees and debris, secured risky areas, and managed traffic disruptions caused by storm damage.
- Extreme Weather Alerts: AEMET issued warnings predicting up to 40 liters per square meter of rain in one hour and reinforced alerts for the Balearic Islands, especially Mallorca, which remains on orange alert due to similar weather risks.
Timeline and Incident Highlights
The downburst arrived with a sudden storm cell sweeping across Alicante’s coastal and northern areas. The rapid onset of heavy rain and nearly 100 km/h wind gusts caused:
- Localized flooding in urban zones
- Fallen trees and branches blocking roads
- Damage to public infrastructure,including a collapsed wall and lighting tower at Callosa de segura’s municipal football field-luckily,no injuries were reported
| Municipality | Measures Taken | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alicante (Capital) | Classes suspended; parks & monuments closed | Castle of Santa Bárbara and gardens closed |
| Elche | All schooling and outdoor activities suspended | Advised avoiding unneeded travel |
| Torrevieja | Classes suspended | Monitoring water accumulation on main roads |
| Benidorm | Classes suspended | Enhanced storm drain cleaning operations |
| Callosa de Segura | Classes suspended | Structural damage at football field,no injuries |
Wider Regional Impact: Alerts in Mallorca and Balearic Islands
The intense weather front has also extended to the Balearic Islands,notably Mallorca,were an orange alert remains active due to forecasts of heavy rainfall reaching 50 liters/m² in one hour. Past similar events led to flooding of low-lying areas and garages, prompting authorities to plan additional precautionary measures and clean-up efforts.
Voices from Alicante: Local Testimonies
“The wind hit like a sharp blow, and in just two minutes, the street was full of branches. I had never seen rain fall that fast.” – Marta, resident of San Gabriel, alicante.
“We heard a crack in Callosa before the football field wall collapsed. fortunately, no one was training at the time.” – José Manuel, municipal worker, Callosa de Segura.
“We were notified about class suspensions last night. The precaution was welcome since traveling back home was complex.” – Laura, mother in Elche.
“I was working my delivery route when the downburst hit. I had to stop as the wind nearly moved the van.” – Iván, delivery driver in Alicante comarca.
Safety Tips for Residents During Thermal Downbursts
- Stay Informed: Regularly check updates from AEMET and local emergency services.
- Limit Travel: Avoid unnecessary trips, especially on flooded or obstructed roads.
- Secure Outdoor Items: Bring in or tie down loose furniture, plants, and similar objects.
- Driving safety: Reduce speed, maintain a safe distance, and avoid driving through deep water.
- Protect Property: Ensure windows and drains are clear and secure; if flooding occurs, cut electricity at your property if safely possible.
Why Are These Weather Events Becoming more Frequent?
Seasonal conditions in the Western Mediterranean-such as a warm sea surface and unstable atmospheric layers-create the perfect environment for convective storms and thermal downbursts, particularly in late summer and early autumn. With prolonged warm periods, episodes like Tuesday’s are likely to reoccur until seasonal changes stabilize the atmosphere.
What’s Next?
Experts warn that isolated heavy rain and strong wind episodes remain possible in Alicante’s coastal and inland areas throughout today. Residents are advised to maintain vigilance and follow official channels for weather updates and emergency instructions. Mallorca’s orange alert is expected to persist, warranting similar caution.
Conclusion
The recent wet thermal downburst in Alicante highlights the city’s exposure to short-lived yet intense convective storms. Prompt coordination between meteorological agencies and local governments has minimized harm and disruption so far. Nevertheless, with alerts still active, public awareness, precautionary actions, and continuous monitoring remain vital in the coming hours.
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