Community & Local Life
Almeria hit by strong wind gusts up to 129 km/h. Orange alert remains in place
Published 5 February, 2026 | Category: Community
TL;DR: Almeria recorded wind gusts of up to 129 km/h on Thursday as an orange alert remained active across the province. The strongest winds were measured in the Filabres mountains, with widespread disruption reported in exposed inland and coastal areas.
Almeria records wind gusts up to 129 km/h
Almeria has recorded wind gusts of up to 129 kilometres per hour on Thursday as an orange weather alert remains active across the province. Strong winds linked to Storm Leonardo continue to disrupt daily life, with in-person classes cancelled in several areas and transport affected by hazardous conditions.
While parts of Andalusia are dealing with flooding and evacuations following weeks of heavy rainfall, wind has been the dominant issue in Almeria, particularly in elevated and exposed areas.
Strongest gusts recorded in the Filabres mountains
According to data published by the Southeast Meteorological Network (Ametse), the highest gust measured in the province reached 129.2 km/h at the Calar Alto Observatory, located in the Sierra de Los Filabres within the municipality of Gergal, at an altitude of 2,168 metres.
Other notable gusts recorded across the province include:
- Enix (El Marchal): 103.6 km/h
- Oria: 96.6 km/h
- Faro de Mesa Roldan (Carboneras): 94 km/h
- Nijar: 91.8 km/h
- Cabo de Gata: 91 km/h
Sustained wind speeds also unusually high
Beyond peak gusts, sustained wind speeds have also been significant. Measurements reported by the same network show:
- Calar Alto: 97.6 km/h
- Enix: 88.5 km/h
- El Toyo (Almeria city): 73.8 km/h
- Nijar: 69.5 km/h
- Roquetas de Mar: 66.2 km/h
- Cabo de Gata: 64 km/h
The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), which operates a smaller number of stations in the province, reported a maximum gust of 94 km/h in Carboneras and sustained winds of up to 64 km/h in Cabo de Gata.
Ongoing precautions
Authorities continue to advise caution, particularly in exposed coastal zones, mountain areas and open rural terrain. Strong gusts remain capable of causing falling debris, traffic disruption and temporary service interruptions while the orange alert stays in effect.
For local updates, weather-related disruptions and practical information affecting daily life in the province, follow our latest posts in the Community section.
Community & Local Life
Almeria Airport sees strong international growth in early 2026
Published March 13, 2026 | Community
TL;DR: Almeria Airport handled 42,092 passengers in February 2026, with international traffic rising 61% driven by strong demand from the UK market.
Almeria Airport traffic jumps as international flights grow by 61%
Almeria Airport started 2026 with solid passenger growth, driven mainly by a strong increase in international travel. According to data published by Aena, the airport handled 42,092 passengers in February 2026, representing a 2.9% increase compared to February 2025.
This equals a daily average of around 1,503 passengers passing through the airport.
The vast majority of travellers used commercial flights. In total, 42,003 passengers travelled on scheduled services, while the remainder used general or executive aviation.
International travel grows rapidly
The most notable change came from the international market. While domestic routes still dominate traffic, international flights grew sharply.
Out of the total commercial passengers:
- 32,700 passengers travelled between Almeria and other Spanish cities
- 9,303 passengers travelled on international routes
The international segment recorded an impressive 60.8% increase compared to the same month in 2025.
The main driver behind this growth was the UK market. In February alone, 8,915 passengers travelled between Almeria and British destinations — a 77.2% increase year-on-year.
This surge follows the launch of two new winter routes to the United Kingdom: Bristol and Liverpool. Both routes started operating at the beginning of the winter season and significantly boosted international connectivity for the province.
Aircraft movements at the airport
During February, 806 aircraft movements were recorded at Almeria Airport. Of these, 506 were commercial flights, with the remainder consisting of training, private or other aviation activity.
Strong start to 2026 overall
Looking at the first two months of the year combined, Almeria Airport handled 77,470 passengers between January and February 2026. This represents a 6.8% increase compared with the same period in 2025.
During this period:
- 61,964 passengers travelled on domestic routes
- 15,305 passengers travelled internationally
In total, the airport recorded 1,503 aircraft movements in the first two months of the year, of which 962 were commercial operations.
Aena network performance
Across the wider Aena airport network, February 2026 also showed continued growth.
Aena operates 46 airports and two heliports in Spain, along with London Luton Airport and 17 airports in Brazil. Together they handled 25.4 million passengers in February, representing a 3.7% increase compared with February 2025.
The network recorded 218,751 aircraft movements and transported nearly 120,000 tonnes of cargo during the month.
For the first two months of 2026 combined, Aena airports handled more than 51 million passengers, confirming continued growth in air travel across the network.
Within Spain alone, Aena airports handled 20.5 million passengers in February, an increase of 2.8% compared to the same month last year.
According to Aena, a small part of this increase was linked to disruptions in Spain’s high-speed rail network earlier in the year, which temporarily shifted some travellers to air routes between major cities such as Madrid, Málaga, Seville and Barcelona.
Follow the latest local updates, infrastructure developments and community news across the province in our Community section.
Community & Local Life
Wildfire in Carboneras brought under control after rapid response
Published 16 February, 2026 | Category: Community
TL;DR: A wildfire in Carboneras spread quickly through scrubland late this morning due to gusty winds. Fire crews, supported by aerial resources, brought the blaze under control by early afternoon. No injuries or homes were affected.
Wildfire in Carboneras brought under control within hours
A wildfire broke out late this morning in the municipality of Carboneras, prompting a rapid emergency response. The fire started in the Arco de Cortina area, near the village of Llano de Don Antonio, and initially spread quickly across open scrubland.
Strong gusts of wind played a role in the early development of the fire, allowing the flames to move fast through low vegetation such as shrubs and dry grass. Despite the speed of the initial spread, the affected area consisted mainly of open terrain, with no immediate threat to homes or infrastructure.
Emergency response and control
Fire crews were deployed shortly before midday and were supported by additional ground teams and aerial firefighting resources, including a heavy helicopter. A water tanker and local support units assisted operations on the ground.
The combined response allowed crews to stabilise the situation relatively quickly. By early afternoon, the wildfire was reported to be under control, with the area remaining under observation to prevent flare-ups.
No injuries or evacuations reported
No injuries have been reported, and there was no need for evacuations. Authorities confirmed that the fire did not reach residential areas and that no damage to homes has been recorded.
Cause under investigation
The cause of the wildfire is currently unknown. Monitoring continues while the affected area cools and follow-up checks are carried out.
Wildfires in Andalusia are monitored through the regional Infoca system, which provides ongoing updates on active and controlled fires across the region.
While the fire spread rapidly at first due to wind conditions, the swift response prevented further escalation.
For updates on local incidents, disruptions and notable events across the province, follow our latest posts in the Community section.
Community & Local Life
Earthquake near Tabernas felt across Almeria during the night
Published 16 February, 2026 | Category: Community
TL;DR: A shallow earthquake with a magnitude of 4.3 mbLg occurred near Tabernas shortly after midnight. Because of its limited depth, the tremor was clearly felt across large parts of the province, but no damage or injuries have been reported.
Shallow earthquake near Tabernas felt across the province during the night
Shortly after midnight, a noticeable earthquake was felt across several parts of Almeria province. The tremor occurred at around 00:55 and was centred near Tabernas, in the interior of the province.
Residents described a brief but firm movement, often perceived as a sudden jolt rather than a prolonged shaking. In some locations, windows rattled and light objects shifted, and a number of people were woken by the tremor.
Areas where the tremor was felt
Although the epicentre was inland, the earthquake was felt across a wide area. Reports came from coastal municipalities such as Roquetas de Mar and El Ejido, as well as inland areas including Nijar and surrounding towns.
The shaking was brief and no injuries or structural damage have been reported.
How close the epicentre was
The centre of the earthquake was located approximately six kilometres from Tabernas. This relatively short distance, combined with the shallow depth of the event, helps explain why the tremor was felt so clearly in nearby municipalities.
Residents in Huercal de Almeria, closer to the epicentre, as well as in more distant areas such as Vera, reported being woken by the movement. In both cases, the shaking was described as brief but firm rather than prolonged.
Magnitude and depth
The earthquake had a magnitude of 4.3 mbLg, a regional magnitude scale commonly used in southern Europe and broadly comparable to what is often referred to as the Richter scale.
The event was classified as shallow, with a depth of only a few kilometres. Depth is a key factor in how earthquakes are experienced: shallow earthquakes tend to feel stronger at the surface than deeper ones of similar magnitude, as less energy is absorbed before reaching ground level.
Seismic context
Almeria lies within one of the more seismically active zones of southern Spain, linked to the broader interaction between tectonic plates in the western Mediterranean. Small earthquakes occur regularly, although most go unnoticed due to their depth or limited magnitude.
Events like this one stand out mainly because people actually feel them. While unsettling, they are considered part of the normal geological behaviour of the region. Several minor tremors have already been recorded in the province this month, indicating ongoing but typical seismic activity rather than an isolated incident.
Key facts at a glance
- Magnitude: 4.3 mbLg (moderate, clearly felt indoors)
- Depth: Shallow (a few kilometres), increasing surface impact
- Location: Near Tabernas, with effects across much of the province
- Impact: No reported injuries or material damage
For those who want to follow seismic activity more closely, the Spanish National Geographic Institute provides a public, continuously updated overview of earthquakes recorded across the country, including maps and timelines.
For local incidents, unusual events and notable developments across the province, follow the latest updates in our Community section.
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