Yellow Alert in Álava for Storms and Hail During May Holiday Weekend

The Department of Security has issued a yellow alert for Álava, anticipating severe thunderstorms and hail that could bring over 15 liters per square meter in one hour.

Generic image of blue and red emergency lights reflecting on wet asphalt, suggesting a storm.
IA

Generic image of blue and red emergency lights reflecting on wet asphalt, suggesting a storm.

The Department of Security maintains a yellow alert for Álava this afternoon due to storms that could bring over 15 liters per square meter in one hour, forecasting a wet afternoon in Vitoria-Gasteiz.

The May holiday weekend in Álava is concluding much as it began, with eyes on the sky and umbrellas at the ready. What was initially forecast as a calm spring closing has turned into a significant concern for those planning to enjoy their last hours of leisure outdoors or begin their journey home.
Today, Sunday, May 3, started in Vitoria-Gasteiz with partially clear skies and pleasant temperatures, reaching 18-20°C by midday. However, Euskalmet warns that this calm is fleeting. From 2:00 PM onwards, Álava will re-enter a yellow alert status.
Developing clouds are expected to bring heavy rainfall to the Llanada Alavesa and mountainous areas. The storms, which could be locally severe, will be accompanied by hail in various parts of the territory, wind gusts ranging from 60 to 80 km/h, and precipitation of up to 15 l/m² in less than an hour.
Given these forecasts, extreme caution is advised on the A-1 and AP-1 roads this afternoon. The convergence of the storms with the peak of the return operation (5:00 PM to 8:00 PM) and potential variable wind gusts necessitates careful driving and increased safety distances.
The summary of this May holiday weekend leaves a bittersweet taste. While Friday, May 1, met expectations with sunshine and pleasant temperatures, instability took over on Saturday. Yesterday, afternoon storms forced many residents of Vitoria-Gasteiz to seek impromptu shelter.