A wave of unprecedented bad weather has shaken Spain, severely affecting several provinces in its southeastern and central regions. Among the hardest-hit cities, Malaga, Almeria, Alicante, and Aguadulce experienced violent hailstorms, with hailstones reaching unusual sizes, from 5 to 7 centimeters in diameter.
The storms caused significant material damage in many areas, damaging homes, vehicles, and entire agricultural areas. 
This phenomenon was triggered by a low-pressure system, loaded with cold air, that settled over the Iberian Peninsula in recent days.
The combination of low pressure and cold air gave rise to severe thunderstorms, hitting Andalusia and causing extreme weather conditions, including intense downpours and hailstorms in areas usually not prone to such events in autumn.
The bad weather also affected northwestern Italy and Sardinia, indicating the regional extent of this disturbed system. The damage toll in Spain is heavy: the hail damaged roofs, windshields, and hoods of cars parked outdoors, as well as devastating local crops.
In the Valencian community, there were also floods that forced authorities to partially close the A7 highway, vital for connections along the eastern coast. Civil Protection and firefighters were engaged in numerous interventions to ensure safety and restore normalcy in the affected areas. 
The forecasts do not suggest an immediate respite: the disturbance is expected to soon reach northern Spain and could also hit the coastal areas of Catalonia, particularly the provinces of Tarragona and Barcelona, where a weather alert has been issued.
Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and to monitor the authorities’ instructions. This hail event is a reminder of the unpredictability of the climate and the need for greater preparedness in the face of intense weather phenomena.
Local and national administrations are called upon to assess and strengthen infrastructure and emergency plans to deal with weather events that, according to climate forecasts, could occur with increasing frequency.
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