Parts of Spain Get a Month's Worth of Rain in a Day

Torrential rainfall causes chaos in Alicante

Flooding closes roads and disrupts transport

Parts of Spain have been battered by torrential rainfall, with some areas receiving a month's worth of rain in just one day.

The worst-hit area was Alicante, where the city received 142mm of rain in 24 hours - more than double the average for the whole of September.

The heavy rain caused widespread flooding, with many roads closed and public transport disrupted.

Rain was caused by a cold front

The heavy rain was caused by a cold front moving across Spain from the west.

The cold front brought with it very moist air, which condensed as it hit the cooler air over Spain.

The resulting rain was particularly heavy over Alicante because the cold front became slow-moving over the region.

Climate change is making extreme weather more common

Extreme weather events like the heavy rain in Alicante are becoming more common due to climate change.

As the Earth's atmosphere warms, it can hold more water vapor, which leads to heavier rainfall.

Climate change is also causing weather patterns to become more unpredictable, which can lead to more extreme weather events.

What to do during heavy rain

If you are caught in heavy rain, there are a few things you should do to stay safe:

• Avoid driving if possible.
• If you must drive, slow down and be extra careful.
• Stay away from flooded areas.
• If you see a flooded road, turn around and find another route.
• If you are caught in a flood, try to get to higher ground.