A period of severe Mediterranean weather has brought torrential rain, thunderstorms, flooding and strong winds to parts of Spain, with the Balearic Islands remaining under significant weather warnings as the unsettled conditions continue.

The latest episode follows intense storms that affected eastern Spain earlier in the week, particularly around Valencia and Catalonia, where flooding caused disruption to roads, transport and public services.

On Friday, September 18, the focus of the weather system is shifting across the Mediterranean, with Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera among the areas facing orange-level warnings for heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Eastern Spain hit by intense storms

Severe thunderstorms moved across eastern Spain earlier in the week, producing exceptionally heavy rainfall in some locations.

The Guardian's Weather Tracker reported that areas of Valencia and Barcelona were particularly affected, with more than 100mm of rain recorded in some places. Large hail and strong winds accompanied the storms, while flooding disrupted transport and other services.

The storm system also caused a fatal incident in Olivella, near Barcelona, where a vehicle was swept away by floodwater. Emergency services subsequently recovered the driver's body.

The incident highlights the dangers associated with attempting to cross flooded roads or streams during intense Mediterranean rainfall.

Ibiza and Formentera under orange warnings

The Balearic Islands remain one of the main areas of concern on Friday.

According to Spain's State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera are under orange warnings for both rainfall and thunderstorms.

The warnings reflect the possibility of locally very heavy rainfall, with significant accumulations possible during the first half of the day.

An orange warning represents a significant level of weather risk and does not mean that every part of an island will experience the same conditions.

Rainfall can be highly localised during Mediterranean storm events, with one area receiving intense precipitation while another nearby location experiences considerably less.

Up to 50 litres per square metre in an hour

AEMET's warnings for the Balearic Islands include the possibility of rainfall rates reaching 50 litres per square metre in one hour.

Thunderstorms are also expected, increasing the potential for sudden intense downpours and rapid accumulation of water.

The combination of heavy rain and thunderstorms is particularly relevant to Ibiza and Formentera because intense rainfall can quickly overwhelm drainage systems and cause temporary flooding in low-lying areas.

The Mediterranean remains highly unstable

The current weather pattern is part of a broader period of instability affecting the western Mediterranean.

Warm sea temperatures can provide additional energy and moisture to developing weather systems, although individual storms are influenced by several atmospheric factors.

The Guardian's Weather Tracker highlighted unusually warm Mediterranean waters as one factor contributing to the intensity of the recent storms in Spain.

This does not mean that warm sea temperatures alone caused the flooding. They are one component of the wider meteorological situation.

Valencia and Barcelona suffered major disruption

The earlier storms caused significant disruption on the mainland.

In Valencia, intense rainfall resulted in flooding and widespread emergency interventions, while transport services were affected and schools were temporarily closed in a number of municipalities.

Barcelona province also experienced serious flooding. In Olivella, the fatal incident occurred after a vehicle was swept away by floodwater.

The incidents demonstrate how quickly conditions can deteriorate when intense rainfall concentrates over a relatively small area.

Transport and public events affected

The storms have also disrupted transport and scheduled activities.

The Guardian reported flight cancellations and transport problems associated with the severe weather in eastern Spain, while a La Liga football match was postponed as a result of the conditions.

Such disruption can occur even when the worst rainfall is highly localised because flooded roads, railway infrastructure, airports and surrounding access routes can all be affected.

Japan faces a separate tropical storm threat

The Guardian's weather report also follows developments in Japan, where Tropical Storm Dujuan is strengthening in the western Pacific.

The storm was moving towards Japan as authorities prepared for the possibility of significant weather disruption.

Reuters reported that Dujuan was located off Japan's Pacific coast and moving northwest towards central Japan, with maximum sustained winds of around 90 km/h and gusts reaching 126 km/h in the latest report.

The potential impact is particularly significant because the Aichi-Nagoya region is hosting the 2026 Asian Games, with some sporting competitions already underway.

A difficult period for the Asian Games

Organisers of the Asian Games have been monitoring the possibility that the storm could affect the opening days of competition.

Some events had already experienced delays or postponements because of earlier severe weather in the region, according to the Japanese Olympic Committee.

The possibility of further disruption will depend on the storm's eventual track and intensity.

Spain's weather remains unsettled

For Spain, the immediate concern is the continuation of heavy rain and thunderstorms across parts of the Mediterranean.

AEMET's Friday forecast shows continued instability particularly affecting the Balearic Islands, parts of Catalonia, the Valencian Community, Murcia and areas of southeastern Spain.

The weather is expected to become more settled in some mainland areas as the system moves away, although conditions remain unsettled across parts of the Mediterranean.

What Ibiza visitors should know

For people in Ibiza and Formentera, the most important point is that an orange warning does not mean the entire island is experiencing continuous severe weather.

Storms can develop rapidly and produce highly localised rainfall.

During periods of intense rain, residents and visitors should avoid flooded roads, torrents and low-lying areas, and should not attempt to drive through water of unknown depth.

Beach and outdoor plans can also become unsafe quickly during thunderstorms, particularly in exposed areas.

The current warnings mean conditions should be monitored closely through official AEMET updates as the storm system continues to move across the Mediterranean.