Murcia assesses storm damage as yellow warnings remain active this Tuesday and Wednesday
The heavy rains have brought tragedy and the usual concerns for the Mar Menor, though farmers are praising the rain
Following a weekend of heavy rains and flood waters that tragically claimed the life of a 50-year-old man in the Ramonete rambla, Murcia continues to assess the storm’s impact while bracing for further unsettled weather. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has warned that rain and cloudy skies will persist across the Region, with yellow weather alerts remaining active through Tuesday and Wednesday.
Weather warnings and forecast
Aemet’s territorial delegate in Murcia, Juan Esteban Palenzuela, has indicated that the weather for Tuesday March 3 will bring weak to moderate rainfall in some interior areas of the region. However, due to an African air mass of Saharan dust or ‘calima’, there is a possibility of muddy rain.
Additionally, the coast of Cartagena and the Mar Menor remain under a yellow alert for strong winds and high waves until 11am on Tuesday.
Murcia weather warnings, Tuesday March 4
The weather is set to worsen on Wednesday March 5, with a yellow warning in place for heavy cloud cover and persistent rainfall in inland areas. Aemet predicts up to 60mm of rain within 12 hours in the Northwest, the Vega del Segura, Campo de Cartagena, Mazarrón, the Guadalentín Valley and Lorca – essentially the entire Region of Murcia.
The warnings are active from 9am until midnight on Wednesday, and temperatures are expected to drop significantly.
Murcia weather warnings, Wednesday March 5
Thursday 6 is also forecasted to be complicated, with moderate rainfall and the possibility of another yellow alert being issued. However, conditions should improve by Friday 7, when rain is expected to become more scattered and less intense.
Concerns for the Mar Menor
As heavy rains continue to drench the Region of Murcia, environmental groups are voicing concerns about the potential impact on the Mar Menor. Experts have warned that the fragile ecological stability of the lagoon, which has benefited from recent drought conditions, is now under threat. The overflowing of the Albujón rambla, has carried with it green waste and sediment as it flows into the Mar Menor, heightening fears of another environmental crisis.
Ramón Pagán, spokesperson for the Pacto por el Mar Menor platform, has stated that the impact could be “important and serious”. He pointed to previous incidents in 2016, 2019 and 2021, where torrential rains led to a serious imbalance in the lagoon’s ecosystem, and warned that a similar situation could be unfolding now.
Farmers welcome the rainfall
Despite the disruption caused by the storm, Murcian farmers have largely welcomed the rainfall. According to Alfonso Gálvez, general secretary of ASAJA Murcia, the recent rains have provided much-needed relief for rainfed crops that were suffering due to prolonged drought conditions.
“These rains were much needed and long-awaited,” Gálvez said, describing them as a “salvation” for some crops. He highlighted the particular benefit for cereal crops. While the rainfall is a positive development, he emphasised that more moderate and sustained rainfall will be needed in spring to ensure long-term benefits for agriculture and water reserves.
As the rain continues all week long, motorists and pedestrians are advised to take precaution when out and about in Murcia this week and not to take any undue risks, while homeowners are being asked to tie down any loose belongings they may have outside to prevent them being blown away.
>>> Follow our Murcia Weather Watch Facebook group for more weather updates or see our Weather & Climate page <<<
Images 1 & 2: Policía Local de Mazarrón
Images 3 & 4: Aemet
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