Spain and Portugal are once again under severe weather pressure as Storm Marta sweeps across the Iberian Peninsula on Saturday, February 7, 2026 – before both countries have fully recovered from the impact of recent Atlantic storms Kristen and Leonardo.
The new system brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, falling temperatures, and renewed flood risks, particularly in already saturated regions.
Meteorological agencies in both countries warn that the cumulative effect of consecutive storms significantly increases the risk of flooding, landslides, and infrastructure disruption.
What Caused Storm Marta?
Storm Marta developed from a deep Atlantic low-pressure system driven by an unusually strong polar jet stream.
According to meteorologists from AEMET (Spain) and IPMA (Portugal), the persistence of these systems is linked to a destabilized jet stream pattern, cold Arctic air pushing southward, and warm, moisture-rich Atlantic air masses feeding storm development.
This combination creates slow-moving, rain-heavy systems, increasing the likelihood of prolonged bad weather rather than short-lived storms.
Temperatures: Sharply Cooler Across the Peninsula
Storm Marta has caused a noticeable drop in temperatures, especially compared to seasonal averages.
Current temperature ranges are around 6-10°C (43-50°F) during the day in northern and central Spain, around 9-14°C (48-57°F) in southern Spain and Portugal, and below 0°C (32°F) with snowfall at higher elevations in mountain areas.
Nighttime temperatures are falling close to freezing levels in inland regions, making conditions feel especially cold due to strong winds and high humidity.
Rainfall: How Much Is Falling?
Rainfall is one of the most serious concerns associated with Storm Marta. In southern Portugal, 60 millimeters of rain are expected in 24 hours, roughly equivalent to an entire month’s rainfall for Évora.
By Sunday, parts of northern and central Portugal are expected to have received 200 millimeters of rain since February 4.
Between 60 and 120 mm (2.4-4.7 inches) of rain is expected within 48 hours in western Spain and Portugal.
Galicia, Andalusia, Alentejo, and the Lisbon region are expecting downpours exceeding 150 mm (6 inches), while northern Portugal and western Andalusia face continuous rainfall with short breaks, increasing runoff risks.
Meteorologists emphasize that even moderate additional rainfall is dangerous, as soils and river basins are already saturated from earlier storms.
Flood and Landslide Risk: High in Several Regions
Authorities have issued flood warnings and weather alerts across multiple areas. In Spain, much of the south, especially the Andalusia region, was placed under orange alert on Saturday, as well as the northwest, which is facing heavy rain and stormy conditions.
Andalusia’s president Juan Manuel Moreno stated: “We have never seen such a succession of storms”.
Highest-risk zones include southern and western Spain, especially river valleys, central and northern Portugal, including the Tagus and Douro basins, and most mountainous regions, where landslides are possible.
“All river basins remain under serious stress,” especially the Tagus River in the Lisbon region and the Sado River further south, said a representative from the National Civil Protection Agency.
Urban flooding is also a concern, particularly in low-lying districts of Lisbon, Seville, Cádiz, Málaga, and Porto. Emergency services advise residents and travelers to avoid riverbanks, coastal cliffs, and poorly drained roads.
Wind and Coastal Conditions
Storm Marta is accompanied by strong Atlantic winds, with gusts reaching 70-90 km/h (43-56 mph) inland, and 100 km/h (62 mph) or more along exposed coastal areas.
Rough seas are affecting the Atlantic coast, with wave heights of 4-6 meters (13-20 feet), prompting port restrictions and ferry cancellations in parts of Portugal and northwestern Spain.
Are Any Areas Unaffected?
As of Saturday evening, not all regions are equally impacted. The least affected areas are Eastern Spain (Valencia, Murcia, parts of Catalonia), the Balearic Islands, which are expected to experience milder conditions, and most interior southeastern regions, with lighter rainfall. These areas remain mostly cloudy and cool but without the extreme rainfall seen in the west.
How Long Will Storm Marta Last?
IPMA meteorologist Nuno Lopes said Leonardo should weaken on Sunday, but the train of storms battering the country could continue for another two weeks.
Current forecasts suggest problematic weather conditions will remain over the next 48-72 hours, continuing until Tuesday.
Gradual improvement is expected toward the end of the week, though lingering showers are possible early next week.
However, forecasters caution that Atlantic instability remains high, meaning further weather systems could follow, although not necessarily as intense.
Humanitarian and Economic Impact
Storms Kristen and Leonardo led to the deaths of at least two people – one in Portugal and one in Spain – and forced more than 11,000 residents to evacuate their homes.
A 46-year-old volunteer from the emergency services died on Saturday trying to cross a flooded area – the first victim of Storm Marta.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro warned that damages exceed 4 billion euros. Andalusia’s president stated that the agricultural sector has been badly affected and it will cost over 500 million euros to fix roads.
Portugal’s agriculture ministry preliminarily estimated losses in the agricultural and forestry sector at 750 million euros.
A series of atmospheric depressions caused Portugal’s dams to release “a volume of water equivalent to the country’s annual consumption” in just three days, said José Pimenta Machado, president of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA).
Political Consequences
In Portugal, the storm led three municipalities to postpone the presidential vote scheduled for Sunday, February 8, by one week due to severe weather conditions.
On Saturday, authorities in Portugal mobilized more than 26,500 rescuers as Storm Marta approached.
What Travelers Should Know
If you are planning to travel to Spain or Portugal, you should be prepared and expect possible transport disruptions, especially rail and road delays.
Check ferry and flight schedules before traveling. Avoid flood-prone rural roads and coastal areas, and monitor official weather warnings from AEMET and IPMA.
A Weather Pattern, Not an Isolated Storm
The Iberian Peninsula is on the frontline of climate change in Europe. It has been experiencing increasingly prolonged heatwaves and more frequent, intense heavy rainfall episodes for several years.
Storm Marta is not an isolated event but part of a broader pattern of persistent Atlantic instability affecting southern Europe this season.
Experts note that consecutive storms increase risks even when individual systems are not extreme on their own.
For Spain and Portugal, the coming days will be about managing cumulative impacts, protecting vulnerable areas, and waiting for a more stable weather pattern to finally take hold.
/Sources:
- Euronews (February 7, 2026)
- France24 (February 7, 2026)
- Al Jazeera (February 7, 2026)
- Reuters / U.S. News (February 7, 2026)
- Brussels Morning (February 7, 2026)
- AEMET (Spanish Meteorological Agency)
- IPMA (Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere)/
