Spain's State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, raised its highest-level warning — the red alert for "extraordinary danger" — for the southern coast of Valencia province and the northern coast of Alicante province, effective from 10:00 on Sunday, October 18 through at least 10:00 on Monday, October 19, 2026, according to coverage by El Debate and Infobae.
The episode is linked to a cut-off low-pressure system known in Spain as a "dana" (depresión aislada en niveles altos), named Adam. The storm is reported by the Olive Press and Euro Weekly News to be the first officially named DANA of the 2026 autumn season.
How much rain is expected
AEMET's own figures, cited by El Debate, Infobae and Euro Weekly News, point to accumulations of more than 200 litres per square metre in 12 hours and up to 300 litres per square metre over 24 hours in the worst-affected spots. One litre per square metre is equivalent to one millimetre of rain.
Private and international computer models have produced higher, unofficial projections. El Debate reported that the Swiss HD 4x4 model forecast total accumulations of up to 772 litres per square metre for the full episode, which some models suggest could extend into Tuesday, October 20. The same report noted that the French Arome model — which El Debate said had correctly anticipated the 2024 Valencia floods — was pointing to around 400 litres in several municipalities.
AEMET described the situation as "muy adversa" (very adverse), warning it "can lead to flooding and swelling of watercourses," according to Euro Weekly News. The Olive Press quoted the agency warning of "very heavy and persistent showers" with "probable flooding and river overflow."
Where the alerts apply
According to Infobae's reporting on AEMET's warnings, the red alert covers the southern coast of Valencia province and the northern coast of Alicante province; the reporting reviewed did not specify individual districts or municipalities within that zone.
Orange, or "important risk," warnings were issued for Almería, Albacete, the Region of Murcia, Ibiza and Formentera on both days, and for Barcelona and Tarragona on Sunday, with Mallorca added for Monday, per Infobae. Yellow warnings were extended to more than 20 additional provinces. Separately, Catalonia's weather agency, Meteocat, issued a red alert for Maresme, Vallès Oriental and La Selva for Saturday afternoon, warning of more than 40 mm of rain in 30 minutes, as reported by the Olive Press.
Rainfall warning levels for DANA Adam (October 18-19, 2026)| Level | Areas | Forecast rainfall |
|---|
| Red (extraordinary danger) | South Valencia coast, north Alicante coast | 200+ l/m² in 12h; up to 300 l/m² in 24h (AEMET) |
|---|
| Orange (important risk) | Almería, Albacete, Murcia, Ibiza, Formentera, Barcelona/Tarragona (Sun), Mallorca (Mon) | Lower but still significant accumulations |
|---|
| Yellow | More than 20 additional provinces | Localised heavy showers |
|---|
Emergency alerts and precautions
The Generalitat Valenciana activated the ES-Alert system, sending emergency messages directly to mobile phones in the red-alert zones of northern Alicante and southern Valencia, according to La Región and El Debate. Moncloa.com reported that ES-Alert messages were also sent to municipalities in western Almería, including the provincial capital, where AEMET forecast up to 60 litres per square metre in a single hour.
Civil Protection services activated emergency flood plans and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and areas near rivers, streams and flood-prone zones, the Olive Press and La Región reported. Euro Weekly News said AEMET's forecast involved moist easterly and northeasterly winds feeding the system toward the Mediterranean coast, while the Olive Press reported that temperatures in eastern Spain could fall by as much as 12°C compared with the preceding warm spell.
Background: the shadow of 2024
Coverage of the current alert repeatedly referenced the DANA that struck the Valencia region in late October 2024, which El Debate's report said killed 233 people and caused multimillion-euro damage, with the municipality of Turís alone recording more than 700 litres per square metre.
As of the sources reviewed on October 17, no deaths or structural damage had yet been reported in connection with DANA Adam; coverage so far has focused on forecasts, warnings and precautionary measures rather than confirmed impacts.
What is still unknown
The exact rainfall totals will depend on how the system evolves once it makes landfall. AEMET's official forecast of up to 300 litres per square metre is notably lower than some unofficial model outputs reported in the Spanish press, and authorities had not, as of October 17, confirmed school closures, transport suspensions or flight disruptions in the affected provinces, according to the sources reviewed.
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