A powerful hailstorm swept across the Barcelona area on Tuesday afternoon, bringing unexpected heavy rain and hail after a sunny morning. The severe weather caused immediate disruption across the city, leading to significant flooding and affecting public transport services.

Flooding and Transport Disruption

Firefighters responded to approximately 30 incidents between 15:00 and 17:30 on Tuesday, primarily dealing with minor flooding and fallen branches. The coastal ring road, Ronda Litoral, experienced significant inundation in several sections, particularly affecting the Barceloneta and Poblenou districts. These areas are popular with both residents and tourists. The TramBesòs service also saw altered frequencies on lines T4, T5, and T6 due to the conditions.

Emergency Response and Public Warnings

Civil Protection activated the Inuncat plan, an alert for intense rainfall, anticipating up to 20 litres per square metre in 30 minutes. This alert covered the northwest and central areas of Catalonia, as well as the pre-coastal and coastal regions. Civil Protection warned the public, stating, "Be cautious, do not approach rivers, streams, and ravines."

Local councils in affected areas echoed these warnings. The Ajuntament de Sabadell, for instance, advised residents to "Exercise prudence, follow the advice." Many residents shared images of the hail on social media, urging others to limit travel and take care on public roads.

Severe Weather Outlook for Girona

More serious weather forecasts emerged for the Ripollès and parts of La Garrotxa comarcas in the Girona province. The Catalan Meteorological Service (Meteocat) issued a "violent weather warning" for these regions. This warning, rated level 6 out of 6, predicted large hail, strong wind gusts, downdrafts, and potential tornadoes or waterspouts.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, advising residents across Catalonia to remain vigilant and follow official guidance as the intense weather system progresses through the region.

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Originally published by El Periódico Barcelona. Read original article.