Catalonia placed under maximum rain alert as storms could dump over 200 l/m²

The Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya (SMC) has raised a level-5 alert, the highest on its six-point scale, for extreme precipitation across Alt and Baix Empordà, Garrotxa, Pla de l’Estany, Gironès, Vallès Oriental and Occidental, La Selva, Maresme and Baix Llobregat, starting at 18:00 and lasting until midnight. Forecasts show rain could exceed 200 litres per square metre within a day, accompanied by local thunderstorms, strong gusts, hail and possible tornadoes.

Aemet also issued an extraordinary-danger warning for Barcelona and Girona provinces, highlighting a 6-out-of-6 chance of 40 l in half an hour and a 5-out-of-6 chance of 90 mm in three hours. Additional high-risk warnings cover seven more comarcas, including Ripollès and Osona. Authorities warn of rapid river rises and flash floods through Saturday night and into Sunday morning.