The first DANA of the summer has strongly affected the interior of the Valencian Community, causing torrential rains, wind, and hail. According to Meteored, the storms have generated concern among citizens. On the afternoon of Saturday, August 15, a trough of storms favored the creation of highly active cells, forming a front that swept through some areas of the coast and interior of Valencia and Castellón.
The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) had already predicted intense precipitation, accompanied by strong gusts of wind and hailstorms. The initial yellow alert in the province of Valencia and the orange alert for storms in the north and south of Castellón were expanded to an orange alert for rain in the southern interior of Valencia and for storms in the southern interior and coast of Castellón.
The regions of Alto Palancia and La Serranía, in the interior of Castellón, bore the brunt of the afternoon's events. Aemet described the situation as a 'highly localized torrential intensity storm' between Bejís, Torás, and Teresa. Torás recorded 142 liters per square meter, with wind gusts exceeding 100 km/h. In Bejís, the figure reached 186.4 liters between 3:00 PM and 5:30 PM, with 122.8 liters in a single hour and wind gusts that surpassed 100 km/h.
The intensity of the rainfall caused strong rises in streams and ravines, such as the Canales river, which normally remains dry. Other municipalities like Calles registered 75.4 liters, Sinarcas 50 liters, El Toro-Cerro Gil 47.2 liters, and Higueruelas 38 liters.
The storms moved towards the southern coast of Valencia and the metropolitan area, affecting festivals and celebrations. The Medusa festival in Cullera delayed its opening by two hours, and the Mediterránea festival in Gandia also experienced delays. In Xàtiva, wind gusts of 90 km/h forced the reprogramming of the Fair.
In addition to the storm, high temperatures marked the day. Elche recorded maximums of 40 degrees, Orihuela 38.4, Ontinyent 38.3, and Carcaixent 37.2. The high humidity pushed the thermal sensation up to 45 degrees in locations like Alzira and Sumacàrcer, despite maximum temperatures of 34.2 and 34.5 degrees respectively. In Anna, the thermal sensation reached 44 degrees with a maximum of 35.8.
Aemet maintains an orange alert for Sunday in the northern interior of Castellón due to precipitation that could bring more than 40 liters per square meter in an hour and possible storms with hail, active between 2:00 PM and 10:00 PM. There will also be a yellow alert on the northern coast of Castellón.
