This weekend is the last opportunity to soak up summer-like temperatures

In a climatic rollercoaster, Spain is set for a final burst of summery heat before being drenched by a much-anticipated bout of rainfall. The country will witness temperatures soaring to approximately 30°C this weekend, only to plummet sharply and be accompanied by widespread precipitation.

This Saturday, October 14th, residents and tourists alike can expect a local 'terral' wind to sweep across various parts of the south of the country, propelling temperatures to a sweltering 34°C. However, Spain's meteorological authority, Aemet, is forecasting the arrival of more autumnal conditions commencing from Monday, October 16th.

Jesús Riesco, the local director of Aemet in the Costa del Sol, has disclosed that a wave of storms originating from the Atlantic will usher in this dramatic temperature shift. "In the case of inland Antequera, maximum temperatures are anticipated to drop from around 30 to 22 degrees on Monday, with a similar trend along the south coast," he declared.

The highly anticipated outcome of these forthcoming storms is the much-needed rainfall, ending a prolonged dry spell that has persisted for several months. Showers are expected to commence inland in the early hours of Sunday, intensifying between Monday and Wednesday. Predictions suggest that there may be up to 180mm of rainfall between October 16th and 18th.

But what exactly are these "atmospheric rivers" that are poised to affect the mainland next week? As of tomorrow (Friday), Spain should brace for a "storm train" forming over a substantial part of the country, triggering a deluge of rainfall. Francisco Martín, a Meteored expert, explains that these Atlantic squalls, upon entering the northern regions and lower latitudes, will interact with other tropical and subtropical weather systems, resulting in "atmospheric rivers of humidity."

These atmospheric rivers are relatively narrow atmospheric bands responsible for the majority of horizontal water vapor transport from the tropics. When they manifest in the form of a "storm train," they can yield periods of intense and protracted rainfall, potentially leading to flooding. As the weekend approaches, it may be the last opportunity for residents and visitors to bask in summer-like temperatures before the impending weather shifts grip the region.