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Orange storm warnings lead to school closures: Murcia weather forecast September 17-20
Fourteen municipalities across the Region have suspended classes as AEMET warns of intense rainfall on Thursday
Weather alerts on Thursday September 17
Autumn may not officially arrive until September 23, but the weather in the Region of Murcia is already starting to feel decidedly less summery. The biggest change comes on Thursday September 17, when AEMET has issued an orange weather warning for heavy rain and thunderstorms across the entire Region of Murcia.
The warning is in force from 3am until midday, with rainfall of up to 30 litres per square metre in an hour expected in the Altiplano, Northwest and Vega del Segura.
The situation could be more intense along the coast and in the Campo de Cartagena and Guadalentín Valley, where up to 50 litres per square metre in an hour is possible.
Weather outlook on Thursday afternoon, September 17
Because of the forecast, the regional government has suspended classes in 14 municipalities and outlying districts on Thursday. The areas affected are Lorca, Puerto Lumbreras, Águilas, Aledo, Totana, Alhama de Murcia, Fuente Álamo, Mazarrón, Cartagena, La Unión, Los Alcázares, Torre Pacheco, San Javier and San Pedro del Pinatar.
Although the orange warning ends at midday, the whole Region remains under a yellow warning until 8pm. Over the 12-hour period, rainfall totals could reach 80 litres per square metre along the coast, in the Campo de Cartagena, Lorca and the Guadalentín Valley, while up to 60 litres is possible in the Vega del Segura, Altiplano and Northwest.
Thursday will also feel much cooler than the recent spell of summer weather. Murcia city is expected to reach just 25ºC, with an overnight low of 18ºC, while Cartagena should reach 27ºC and Lorca 26ºC.
Further inland, Caravaca de la Cruz is forecast to reach 23ºC with a low of 12ºC, while the Altiplano could see highs of 24ºC and lows of 14ºC.
Weather outlook on Friday September 18
Friday September 18 should bring a noticeable improvement, although the weather will remain changeable. There will be periods of low cloud followed by higher cloud, with some daytime cloud development potentially bringing light rain. Temperatures will remain fairly similar, with a slight rise in daytime temperatures in some areas. There are no weather warnings currently in place.
Weather outlook on Saturday September 19
Saturday September 19 will remain partly cloudy with the possibility of occasional light rain. Temperatures should stay fairly steady, with a slight rise in minimum temperatures along the coast and a small drop inland. Cartagena is expected to reach around 28ºC. Winds will be light from the north before becoming easterly and occasionally moderate during the afternoon.
Weather outlook on Sunday September 20
By Sunday September 20, conditions should become more settled, with low cloud during the morning giving way to mostly clear skies. There is still a chance of occasional light rain, particularly along the coast, but temperatures are expected to edge upwards, reaching around 28ºC in many coastal and inland areas.
Light northerly winds will again turn easterly during the afternoon.
So, while Thursday looks like a very wet and stormy day across much of the Region, the outlook becomes considerably calmer as the weekend approaches, with temperatures gradually climbing back towards the high 20s.
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Murcia this weekend
- Thursday September 17: Min 14ºC; Max 28ºC
- Friday September 18: Min 11ºC; Max 27ºC
- Saturday September 19: Min 13ºC; Max 28ºC
- Sunday September 20: Min 12ºC; Max 29ºC
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Images: Mete Orihuela / Aemet
