Valencia’s typically sunny skies took a dark turn this week. The city faced heavy rains and flooding in some areas because of a seasonal weather phenomenon known as Gota Fria or DANA. But what do these terms mean, and why are they so significant?
A Gota Fria — also known as Cold Drop or by its scientific name, DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos – Isolated Depression at High Altitude) — refers to a weather pattern that occurs when a cold polar air mass from the jet stream moves into the warmer Mediterranean region. The result? Intense downpours, flash floods, and even hail, often impacting Valencia in late summer and early fall.
These rapid and sometimes dangerous weather changes have historic significance. The 1957 Turia River flood was triggered by a DANA which caused the river to overflow. The disaster killed dozens of Valencia residents and led to the rerouting of the Turia River. For a detailed look into Valencia’s history with severe Gota Fria storms, check out Las Provincias’ summary of past incidents.
Local meteorological agency AEMET provides updated, color-coded warnings to alert residents to severe weather conditions. Follow AEMET Valencia on X for live updates, and El Tiempo’s guide to DANA for more on this seasonal phenomenon.
Lastly, if you rely on public transport, follow Transit Valencia’s feed for updates on potential delays or cancellations during periods of severe weather.
