Week in News: More Wind Warnings

Bon dia! After a brief respite on Sunday, Aemet is forecasting another round of strong winds for Monday — so keep an eye out for any alerts.

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Extreme Weather

Gusts reached up to 147 km/h in parts of Valencia last week, toppling trees, damaging façades, and disrupting train services. And it may not be over yet: a new weather alert could be activated Monday afternoon, according to Las Provincias.

It has also been the warmest February in more than a decade. The climate crisis appears to be intensifying weather volatility across the Mediterranean, writes Levante-EMV, with sharper swings between unseasonal heat and extreme wind events.

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City News

Valencia has topped Spain’s traffic congestion index for the second consecutive year, with more than 40% of journeys taking nearly twice as long as they should, according to Valencia Plaza.

American visitors have broken into Valencia’s top five tourist markets, overtaking France, Valencia Plaza reports — a shift many residents may have sensed anecdotally.

The city has approved plans for a new green space at the mouth of the Turia, effectively extending the park toward the sea with what officials are describing as a new “green lung,” Valencia Extra writes.

One of Valencia’s most iconic rooftop venues, the Ateneo, could face closure after failing to secure the proper licenses, according to Levante-EMV.

Crime and Policing

The long-running debate over crime, prostitution, and policing in Velluters — the neighborhood in Valencia’s historic center known colloquially as “Barrio Chino” — has flared up again. According to Levante-EMV, the resurgence of vice-related crime may be linked to the return of a notorious “madame” recently released from prison.

Meanwhile, a Bourbon aristocrat has been implicated in what authorities describe as Spain’s largest-ever cocaine seizure — 13 tons — in a sprawling investigation that also uncovered more than €20 million in cash and allegedly involved a senior police inspector from the economic and fiscal crimes unit, El País reports.

Valencia’s port remains one of Spain’s principal entry points for illicit narcotics. For those looking to practice their Spanish listening skills, Valencia Plaza has published a podcast exploring how the drug trafficking industry operates in the region.

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Sports

Valencia CF emerged victorious in this weekend’s derby against Levante UD, winning 2–0. There were minor scuffles between supporters, and Levante-EMV offered an interesting look at the perceived political and class divides that continue to shape the rivalry.

Las Provincias also profiles Tadej Poga?ar — multiple Tour de France winner and widely considered the world’s top cyclist — who is currently training in Valencia.

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Culture and Environment

One of the most fascinating digital installations at the Hortensia Herrero Art Center is entering the final phase of its self-destruction. According to Levante-EMV, The World of Irreversible Change is an interactive work depicting an idyllic Japanese village. Visitors can engage with its inhabitants — but depending on those interactions, the village slowly begins to burn and collapse. The CAHH is opening for longer hours to allow more viewers to witness this unique art event.

Swimmers are used to jellyfish sightings, and some were delighted by a pod of dolphins spotted off Pobla de Farnals last weekend. But Valencia Secreta reports that scientists have now confirmed another rare marine visitor in Valencian waters — the great white shark.

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And Finally

Mark your calendars: Fallas will begin unusually early this year. La Crida is scheduled for Sunday, 22 February — one of the earliest kickoffs in decades, Las Provincias reports.