Barcelona and the wider metropolitan area are under a yellow alert for rain on Friday 18 September 2026, following a severe storm earlier in the week. The Catalan Meteorological Service (Meteocat) has issued the warning, indicating a danger level of 1 out of 6, with potential rainfall exceeding 20 litres per square metre within 30 minutes.
The alert covers Barcelona and municipalities in the Barcelonès and Baix Llobregat regions. Authorities warn the main risk is intense, short-duration downpours that could lead to rapid water accumulation and localised flooding. This episode is expected to be less severe than Wednesday’s storm, which triggered higher-level warnings and caused widespread disruption.
During Wednesday’s storm, torrential rain led to flash floods, transport issues and service interruptions across the city. Emergency services activated the ES-Alert system, sending warnings to mobile phones in affected regions. The Ronda de Dalt was partially closed due to flooding, and several metro stations reported incidents, affecting commuter travel.
Residents advised to stay informed
Protecció Civil recommends residents monitor updates and take precautions, particularly during peak rainfall hours. While no major disruptions have been reported ahead of Friday’s weather, the city remains on heightened alert following the recent extreme conditions.
Separately, the Ajuntament has announced temporary night-time road closures on the Ronda de Dalt as part of ongoing infrastructure works to cover the motorway. These closures are unrelated to the weather alert but may affect travel during Friday night.
Primary sources: ajuntament.barcelona.cat. Reported by metropoliabierta.elespanol.com, Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life.
