Chairs are pictured floating in a flooded street of Alcacer do Sal, south of Portugal, during Leonardo storm on February 4, 2026. The Iberian peninsula on February 4, 2026 braced for a violent storm, with southern Spain shutting schools and Portugal placed on fresh alert after severe weather killed five people last week. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP via Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)
The Foreign Office has issued a warning to British holidaymakers planning trips to two of the UK’s favourite destinations. Parts of Spain and Portugal have been placed under a red alert by their respective meteorological agencies due to dangerous weather conditions expected in the coming weeks, just as thousands of Brits are set to travel during the half-term break.
Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has issued a red warning for severe rainstorms across Malaga Province on Wednesday, 4 February. Forecasts suggest that rainfall could exceed 150 litres per square metre within 12 hours and could surpass 200 litres per square metre over 24 hours in inland areas.
Yelloww warnings have been extended in Malaga and other parts of western Spain until Thursday.
As a safety measure against the extreme weather, schools throughout Andalucia will be closed on Wednesday. The red alert, which signifies “extraordinary danger”, will remain in effect in the Ronda region from midnight onwards for the entire day.
AEMET has cautioned that stormy conditions are likely to continue until mid-February. The Foreign Office has advised: “Heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong coastal winds are expected across the country until Sunday 8 February, with an increased risk of flash flooding, landslides and travel disruption. Follow the advice of local authorities and monitor weather updates on the European Meteorological Services website.
The Foreign Office guidance to travellers warned: “Once the event has happened, you should be aware of possible risks relating to damaged buildings or other infrastructure. Be aware that events in places away from where you are can still cause disruption, such as through loss of power, communications or transport services.”
“It may take time for airports to re-open and there may be serious shortages of accommodation, food, water and health facilities. It may be harder for you to receive help from humanitarian workers if it is difficult to access the area due to transport infrastructure damage or flooding.
“The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) ability to help British nationals may be limited (perhaps severely) in these circumstances. We cannot ensure your safety and security in another country. The relevant authorities in the country or territory you are in are responsible for your safety and security.”
Storm Leonardo, the sixth major low-pressure system to hit in 2026, is poised to pummel Andalusia yet again, with Malaga directly in its path. AEMET has upgraded the rainfall warning to red for the province in its latest bulletin.
Weather forecasters at Meteored have warned: “By the end of the coming early morning, very intense rain will begin in the west and far south of Andalucia. It will continue throughout the morning, spreading to the rest of the southern community. In the afternoon, the most intense precipitation will occur in the eastern area, from the Strait to Almeria, with a strong westerly maritime storm.”
Spain’s meteorological agency AEMET has issued an orange warning for Malaga, the Costa del Sol, the Guadalhorce region, and Axarquia, forecasting rainfall accumulations of between 90 and 100 litres in 12 hours. The agency cautioned: “Accumulations exceeding 150 litres in 24 hours may be reached in the western half of the zone. In the rest, accumulations of 40 litres in 12 hours are expected,”.
AEMET has also issued its most severe alert level, a Red Advisory, for torrential rain in Cádiz and sections of Málaga province for Wednesday, 4th February. The advisory predicts 150mm of rainfall in 12 hours and 200mm in 24 hours across certain inland locations.
In response to the extreme weather threat, all educational institutions across Andalusia will remain shut on Wednesday. Furthermore, multiple yellow alerts and amber warnings have been activated as the regions prepare for the onslaught.
As Portugal and Spain brace for more rainfall, meteorologists have confirmed that Storm Leonardo is due to strike this week. After several weeks of wet and occasionally windy weather, Storm Leonardo is predicted to bring additional rain to the Iberian Peninsula, with particularly heavy downpours expected across Andalusia, weather experts have cautioned.