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Gota Fría in Spain
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Spain, especially the east coast areas, can experience intense rain and wind storms in the autumn months. These storms, known as gota fria, can take you by surprise unless you know what to expect and are prepared...
Gota
fría, or "cold drop", is a weather phenomenon often occurring in the Spanish autumn.
It is experienced particularly along the western Mediterranean and as such,
most frequently affects the east coast of Spain (although it is by no means
limited to this area).
Gota
fría is the name given to the storms. These most commonly take
place after the summer months when the sea temperature is still high, but the
temperature in upper airstreams suddenly drops. The warm air, saturated with
water vapour, rises and cools too quickly when meeting the upper airstreams.
The result is extremely intense rainfall, accompanied by high winds (up to 140
km/h), hail and thunderstorms.
A gota fría is
more intense on or close to the coast, and can be powerful enough to uproot
trees.
- Protección
Civil publish notices on extreme
weather warnings
Up-to-date Weather Warnings
- Select a
region for local weather forecasts from AEMET
In the Event of a Gota
Fría
Expect
extremely heavy rain, flash flooding, power cuts and no telephone reception.
The Cartagena Ayuntamiento provides
very clear guidance on how to prepare and what to do in the event of storms.
Prepare the home for floods
- Make sure the
roof is clean and the drains are free of leaves
- Clear the
outdoors areas and garden in the end of the summer (bring in furniture,
garden tools and other moveable objects that might be blown or washed
away)
- Swimming pools
should be partly emptied, to avoid flooding
- Keep a couple of
days’ worth of dry food and water, along with a torch, batteries and a
radio in a high place where it can be quickly reached
- Important
documentation and items should be kept at the highest part of the house
In the event of storms and flood
- Turn of the electricity
- Listen to
local radio news, but avoid using the phone
- Be prepared to
leave the house and go to a safe place if ordered by the authorities
On the road in floods
- Try to tune in
to the local radio channel
- Prepare to
drive towards higher locations
- Prepare to
abandon the car and head to higher ground if the water levels begin to
rise or if the car is stuck
- If the car is
submerged in water, and it’s difficult to open the door, exit through the
window without losing any time
Avoid
unnecessary danger:
- Stay on main
roads
- Never cross
flooded areas by car
- Watch out for
loose electricity cables and falling objects, beware that tunnels and
drains can be hazardous
- Never park on
riverbeds
- Avoid driving
after dark
Further Information
- For full
details from the Cartagena Ayuntamiento including
advice of how to be prepared in the case of floods, how to act during and
after (in Spanish)
- Wikipedia on the Gota fría (in
Spanish)