Storm Bruna has triggered a pre-emergency phase across Andalusia as intense, persistent rainfall threatens to cause flash floods and rising river levels.
The Andalusian government activated “Situation 0” of the Flood Risk Emergency Plan (PERI) on Sunday, November 8, 2026, to prepare for the high-impact weather system, ABC reported.
The meteorological event is fueled by an atmospheric river drawing moisture from the subtropical Atlantic and the Caribbean, according to Hoy. This moisture-rich flow is driving heavy precipitation across the western Iberian Peninsula, with some areas in western Andalusia expected to accumulate between 100 and 200 liters per square meter throughout the episode.
📢RECUERDA: @AEMET_Andalucia prevé aviso naranja 🟠– riesgo importante – por lluvias desde la medianoche en #Huelva y desde las 03:00 en la Sierra Norte de #Sevilla ⛈️ 🚨En caso de emergencia, 📲1⃣1⃣2⃣ #BuenasNoches pic.twitter.com/MiHqbejk55
Aemet issues orange alerts for Huelva and Sevilla
The Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) has issued orange warnings—indicating a risk of damage—for several key regions. In Huelva, the orange alert for heavy rain is scheduled to remain in effect from midnight until noon on Monday. Similarly, the Sierra Norte of Sevilla faces orange warnings starting at 03:00, with accumulations reaching up to 80 liters per square meter over a 12-hour period.
The impact of Bruna is not limited to the mainland. In the Canary Islands, the storm’s behavior was described by Canarias7 as “playing hide and seek,” as the system’s impact varied wildly between islands.
While some areas saw unexpected intensity, others experienced much less than predicted. In Tenerife, the storm caused trees to fall and traffic signs to be displaced, while a resident in La Palma was injured by a chair blown by high winds.
Wind speeds are also a primary concern for coastal residents. The coast of Huelva faces maritime warnings for southern winds reaching force 7 during the early hours of Monday. By Tuesday, Aemet predicts wind gusts between 70 and 90 kilometers per hour across western Andalusia and the Strait, accompanied by waves reaching nearly four meters.
| Location | Alert Level | Projected Accumulation | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aracena and Andévalo | Orange | Up to 30 l/m² in one hour | Until 12:00 Monday |
| Sierra Norte (Sevilla) | Orange | Up to 80 l/m² in 12 hours | From 03:00 Monday |
| Northern Cáceres | Orange | Up to 100 l/m² in 12 hours | Through Monday |
| Huelva Coast | Yellow | Up to 15 l/m² in one hour | Monday morning |
| Grazalema (Cádiz) | Yellow | Up to 60 l/m² in 12 hours | Until 16:00 Monday |
Málaga faces orographic rainfall shifts
In Málaga, the storm’s impact will be heavily dictated by the local landscape. Jesús Riesco, the Director of Aemet in Málaga, noted that while rain will fall everywhere in the province, certain areas will see much higher accumulations due to the effect of the orography on westerly and southwesterly flows, Diario Sur reported.
🌧️ Llega la borrasca Bruna y viene con compañía… ¡y no precisamente discreta! Un río atmosférico cargado de humedad reforzará las lluvias en España durante la próxima semana, especialmente en el oeste peninsular. ☔ El Atlántico ha decidido abrir el grifo. pic.twitter.com/RmGN1zIlzw
Meteorological models for Málaga show a notable discrepancy. According to Diario Sur, the European model predicts heavy rainfall, with the western zone of Málaga receiving between 80 and 95 l/m² between Monday and Thursday. Conversely, the American model suggests much lower precipitation levels for the same period.
Aemet’s predictive algorithm suggests Monday will be the wettest day for the province. Expected accumulations include more than 50 l/m² in the Serranía, between 30 and 40 l/m² in Marbella and Estepona, and 10 to 20 l/m² in the capital. Temperatures are expected to remain higher than normal for this time of year due to the influence of warm, humid “ábrego” winds from the southwest.
The Agencia de Emergencias de Andalucía (EMA) has advised the public to exercise extreme caution. Residents should avoid unnecessary travel and never attempt to cross flooded areas, whether on foot or in a vehicle.
The EMA also warns against parking or camping near rivers and streams, even if they appear dry, due to the risk of sudden surges. In the event of water entering a home, officials recommend moving to upper floors and avoiding basements or garages.
The storm system is expected to persist until at least Wednesday, November 11, according to El Mundo.
Entramos en una semana marcada por la nubosidad y las precipitaciones esta vez llegando desde el Atlantico. La borrasca #bruna y un río atmosférico preparan un arranque de semana de lluvias copiosas en buena parte de España pero más en el oeste. Acumulados entre domingo 8N y 15N.… pic.twitter.com/qq7ADa8FdA
