Spain and Portugal are preparing for rough weather, as Storm Marta is expected to arrive on the Iberian Peninsula on February 7. The storm will bring heavy rain and strong winds to areas that have already been hit hard by earlier storms. AEMET, the Spanish weather agency, said the rain will be extreme on Saturday. AEMET’s Rubén del Campo said that after a break on Friday, Marta will bring heavy rain and strong winds on Saturday, hitting areas recently damaged by heavy rain.
Source: X
Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Across Spain
AEMET predicts that some areas near Ronda could get up to 60 mm of rain in 12 hours. In the Guadalhorce Valley and the coastal regions, winds from the west might reach 70 km/h, and waves could get as high as three metres. The combination of heavy rain and strong winds could disrupt travel and damage buildings in areas already affected by recent storms.
Emergency services are telling people to be careful and avoid travel if they don’t need to during the worst parts of the storm. Local officials are also getting ready for possible river overflows and landslides in mountain and low-lying areas, where the ground is already very wet from Storm Leonardo.
Also Read: Storm Leonardo Forces Mass Evacuations In Spain And Portugal
Portugal Faces Flood Risks and Snowfall
The weather in Portugal is expected to worsen starting Saturday morning, with the storm bringing heavy rain, snow, strong winds, and rough seas. Rivers and streams south of the Tagus River are expected to rise again, increasing the risk of flooding. According to IPMA, Portugal’s weather agency, the worst conditions will be along the southern coast, including Lisbon, Alentejo, and the Algarve mountains, where winds could reach 100 km/h, or even 120 km/h in higher areas.
There is a forecast for steady, sometimes strong, rain, with about 60 mm expected over 24 hours in southern areas. Officials warn that rivers and streams could overflow, posing a danger to people and roads, and emergency teams are ready to help with evacuations and quick responses in areas that might flood.
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Aftermath and Preparedness Measures
Storm Marta comes after Storm Leonardo, which killed one person and made over 7,000 people leave their homes earlier in the week. Leonardo also messed up Portugal’s presidential election, so the second vote had to be delayed in some places, and this recurring bad weather shows that the Iberian Peninsula is at risk of winter storms and needs effective preparation plans.
Officials in both Spain and Portugal are still advising people to stay indoors, avoid travel if possible, and stay up to date on weather updates. With heavy rain, forceful winds, and rough seas, this storm will put emergency plans to the test and show the constant risk of severe winter weather on the Iberian Peninsula.
Aspect |
Details |
|---|---|
Storm Name |
Storm Marta (approaching after Storm Leonardo) |
Region Impacted |
Spain & Portugal areas already soaked from previous storms (Leonardo) |
Timing |
Saturday, 7 February 2026 |
Primary Weather Threats |
Heavy rain, snowfall at higher elevations, strong winds, rough seas |
Wind Gusts Forecast |
Winds up to 90–100 km/h in some coastal and exposed areas |
Rainfall & Flood Risk |
Persistent rain could cause flooded rivers and streams to rise again, increasing flood risk in saturated areas |
Snow Forecast |
Snow expected above 900–1,000 metres, with accumulation in mountain ranges like Serra da Estrela |
Sea Conditions |
Rough seas with waves up to 7 metres along parts of the Portuguese coast |
Weather Alerts |
Yellow & amber alerts issued in parts of Spain and Portugal ahead of the storm |
Ground Conditions Concern |
Already saturated ground from previous rain makes regions more vulnerable to flooding and runoff, even with moderate new rain |
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