Alicante weather alert upgraded to orange as up to 40 litres of rain could fall in an hour

After temperatures reached 38°C at the start of the week, heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail and strong winds are expected before cooler weather arrives on Thursday

Alicante has had a very summery start to the week, with temperatures reaching 38°C, but the weather is about to change dramatically.

Aemet has now upgraded its weather warning for the Province from yellow  to orange, with heavy rain and thunderstorms expected from Wednesday September 9 into the early hours of Thursday.

The warning particularly affects the Vega Baja, where rainfall could reach 40 litres per square metre in just one hour. The heaviest showers could also bring hail and strong gusts of wind, with coastal areas expected to be particularly exposed.

The change is being caused by a pocket of colder air moving across the area from Wednesday afternoon, bringing more unstable weather with it. For anyone living in or visiting the Vega Baja, Wednesday looks set to be the day when things really change. The combination of heavy rain and thunderstorms could lead to sudden water accumulations, particularly during the heaviest showers.

Temperatures are expected to drop noticeably from Thursday as cooler air moves in behind the unsettled weather. Maximum temperatures will fall and overnight temperatures are expected to dip below 20°C, making for a much more comfortable second half of the week.

The change should be quite noticeable after the temperatures of recent days, particularly for anyone who has been struggling with the late summer heat.

Winds are expected to come mainly from the east and northeast throughout the period, while air quality is forecast to remain good across the Vega Baja.

There is also no suspended dust expected, which means that despite the thunderstorms and heavy rain, the air itself should remain clear.

Policía Local is reminding drivers never to try to cross a flooded road or a rambla where water is flowing. Even if the water doesn't look particularly deep, a strong current can sweep a vehicle away. If the rain becomes torrential, avoid unnecessary journeys and check the condition of the roads before setting off.

Image: Aemet