← HomeDANA intensifies: Aemet forecasts up to 300 litres in 24 hours and 3-metre waves on Sunday in Marina Alta
The Aemet has raised the risk level for the DANA on Sunday, the most dangerous day: in addition to an orange alert throughout the day, it forecasts that some areas of Marina Alta could receive up to 300 litres per square metre in 24 hours, with thunderstorms, hail and waves of up to 3 metres.
La Marina Times newsroom
Saturday 17 October 2026, 09:15 · 3 min read
More rain than expected
The DANA arriving in Marina Alta this weekend has intensified. The State Meteorology Agency (Aemet) has extended the duration of alerts and raised the risk level for Sunday, which will be the most dangerous day, according to La Marina Plaza.
The main change concerns rainfall totals. In addition to the 60 litres per square metre in one hour and 150 in twelve hours already indicated in the orange alert for Sunday, the Aemet now forecasts that some areas could reach 300 litres per square metre in 24 hours.
Day by day
- Saturday 17: weather will deteriorate progressively from midday. From 12.00 onwards, yellow alert for rainfall of up to 30 litres per square metre in one hour, with possible thunderstorms with hail and strong wind gusts.
- Sunday 18: orange alert throughout the day, from 00.00 to 23.59 hours, on the northern coast of Alicante: up to 60 litres in one hour, 150 in twelve hours and 300 in 24 hours in some areas. Alerts include thunderstorms with possible hail and rough sea.
- Monday 19: second most severe day, with the heaviest rainfall still expected around Cap de la Nau, according to the Generalitat Emergency Coordination Centre.
Rough seas
The DANA will not only bring rain. Sunday is also expected to see rough seas, with waves reaching up to 3 metres. It is advisable to avoid seafronts, breakwaters and rocky areas, and to secure vessels.
How to interpret the figures
The 300 litres represent a possible maximum in specific areas, not a forecast for the entire comarca. The Aemet cannot yet specify which municipalities will receive the heaviest rainfall, as this depends on the exact position of the DANA. What it does identify is the focus: areas north of Cap de la Nau, in Xàbia, are among those that could record the largest totals on Sunday.
To put this in perspective: Dénia receives an average of around 750 litres per square metre per year, so 300 litres in one day would be equivalent to nearly 40% of what falls in an entire year.
What to do
- Follow updated alerts from the Aemet and Generalitat Emergencies (@GVA112).
- Do not cross flooded streets, ravines or passages, either on foot or in a vehicle.
- Avoid unnecessary travel during the orange alert.
- Do not park in riverbeds or low-lying areas, and do not go down to basements or garages during the heaviest rainfall.
- Stay away from the coast whilst the rough sea alert is in effect.
- In case of emergency, call 112.
La Marina Times will continue to update information with the measures adopted by municipalities in the comarca.
