Characteristics of widespread extreme precipitation events in Peninsular Spain and the Balearic Islands: spatio-temporal dynamics and driving mechanisms
Abstract This study analysed widespread extreme precipitation events (WEPEs) across Spain using a high-density network of daily precipitation records, aiming to clarify their spatiotemporal trends and drivers. The findings reveal that WEPEs in Spain show a non-significant trend in either frequency or intensity since 1961, despite the prevailing trend of global warming. Nevertheless, atmospheric circulation plays a key role in shaping WEPEs in Spain, with five distinct synoptic patterns driving extreme precipitation across different regions. Westerly flows associated with Atlantic lows lead to widespread precipitation in northern and western Spain, while cut-off lows generate intense but more localized events, particularly in the east. Jet stream anomalies and moisture transport patterns, particularly from the Mediterranean and Atlantic, further modulate the spatial distribution and intensity of WEPEs, highlighting the interaction between regional and large-scale climatic drivers. These findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between widespread and localized EPEs and the associated atmospheric mechanisms.
Authors
- Luis Gimeno‐Sotelo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9305-2325)
- María Adell-Michavila (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6293-1994)
- Amar Halifa‐Marín (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2388-1598)
- Magí Franquesa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3101-0394)
- David Barriopedro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6476-944X)
- José C. Fernández‐Alvarez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3409-6138)
- Fernando Domínguez‐Castro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3085-7040)
- Ricardo García‐Herrera (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3845-7458)
- Santiago Beguerı́a (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3974-2947)
- Borja Latorre (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6720-3326)
- Miguel Andres‐Martin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1052-3270)
- José M. Garrido‐Pérez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5071-789X)
- Ahmed El Kenawy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6639-6253)
- José Manuel Gutiérrez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2766-6297)
- Sergio Martín Vicente-Serrano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2892-518X)
- César Azorín-Molina (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5913-7026)
- Luis Gimeno-Presa
Institutions
- Universidad Complutense de Madrid (ES)
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ES)
- University of Lisbon (PT)
- Universidad de Zaragoza (ES)
- Centro de Supercomputación de Galicia (ES)
- Centre d'Investigacions sobre Desertificació (ES)
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (ES)
- Estación Experimental de Aula Dei (ES)
- Instituto de Geociencias (ES)
- Instituto de Física de Cantabria (ES)
- Universidade de Vigo (ES)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Climate Dynamics
- Published
- 2025-08-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-025-07829-y
- Citations
- 5
- Primary Topic
- Climate variability and models
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 5.53