Five counties to see mobility restrictions and classes suspended on Wednesday due to rain forecast

Catalonia will restrict mobility on Wednesday, except in cases of force majeure, as well as essential services between 7am and 5pm, in five counties where heavy rain is forecast.

The measures will apply to five counties south and inland of Barcelona: Alt Penedès, Baix Penedès, Baix Llobregat, Vallès Occidental and Garraf.

The Catalan government has signed a resolution that also suspends classes in educational centers and universities, requests remote working where possible, and postpones non-urgent healthcare activity.

The restrictions will be communicated on Tuesday evening through an emergency phone alert, and will also apply to day centers for the elderly and disabled.

The decision to restrict mobility and activity was made in light of the forecast of a danger level of 5 out of 6 of the Inuncat flood plan, which predicts that there may be local torrential rain, and therefore, a "significant" impact in terms of the need to protect people from the impact of the rain.

"We are in a situation that forces us to deploy all measures to protect the population in accordance with the meteorological forecast," interior minister Núria Parlon said.

The interior ministry resolution specifies the necessity to avoid "non-essential" travel and to work from home "in all areas where possible."

It also includes the suspension of educational, outdoor sports activities, and university activities.

The minister reminded due to the intensity of the rain that is expected, it is important not to cross rivers or streams, or approach ravines or flood zones, as well as to avoid underground passages or low points.

Torrential rain

Santi Segalà, head of forecasting at the Meteorological Service of Catalonia, explainde that Wednesday will bring local floods and storms.

He pointed out that, while mobility will be restricted in regions where the chance of storms are greatest, there will still be the chance that other areas may face intense precipitation.

In addition, temperatures are expected to drop between 5 and 10 degrees.

Rain is forecast to begin on Tuesday evening. Between 8pm and 2am, rain could exceed 20mm in 30 minutes in parts of the mountainous northern Catalonia.

The most intense phase of the rain is expected between 3am and 3pm on Wednesday, although there will also be rain before and after this period.

Before 8am, rain will mainly fall in the Barcelona and Tarragona provinces. 

The time of greatest risk is expected between 8am and 2pm. During this period, the episode will be concentrated mainly in Camp de Tarragona and the central coastal and pre-coastal areas.

The maximum level of danger will reach 5 out of 6 in Alt Penedès, Baix Llobregat, Baix Penedès, Garraf and Vallès Occidental, where 40mm could fall in 30 minutes.

The storms will move aroud quickly and different nuclei can pass successively through the same point, which could increase the accumulations.

In parts, 90mm of rain could fall in the space of three hours.

The showers may also be accompanied by hail and strong gusts of wind.