Kirstin and Leonardo storms devastate Spain and Portugal climate change

 

Kirstin and Leonardo storms devastate Spain and Portugal climate change

In early 2026, back-to-back storms Kristin (often misspelled as Kirstin) and Leonardo caused catastrophic damage across Spain and Portugal, serving as a stark illustration of the escalating impacts of climate change.

 

Storm Kristin (Late January 2026)

Hitting central and northern Portugal on January 28, 2026, Storm Kristin was a historic "extreme climatic event" marked by hurricane-force winds.

Destruction: Winds peaked at an unprecedented 208.8 km/h in Soure, with unofficial gusts reaching 238 km/h in Lavos, surpassing previous records held by Hurricane Leslie.

Human Impact: At least 12 people died (6 directly and 6 indirectly). More than 1 million customers lost power at the storm's peak.

Economic Toll: Costs in Portugal are estimated at over €4 billion, roughly 1% of the country's GDP. In Leiria, the "epicenter" of the damage, the mayor described the city as a "warzone" with widespread destruction of homes, schools, and even military F-16 hangars.

 

Storm Leonardo (Early February 2026)

Before recovery from Kristin could begin, Storm Leonardo struck on February 4–5, dumping months' worth of rain in just hours.

Severe Flooding: Parts of Andalusia in southern Spain received up to 40 centimeters (15 inches) of rain in 24 hours, leading to red alerts for "extraordinary" rainfall.

Evacuations: In Andalusia alone, nearly 4,000 people were evacuated, and the Spanish weather agency AEMET placed the region under maximum alert.

Casualties: Leonardo claimed at least one life in Portugal when a car was swept away, while Spanish rescuers searched for a girl swept away by the Turvilla river.

 

The Climate Change Link

Scientists and meteorological agencies, including the IPMA (Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere), have directly linked the intensity of these storms to human-driven climate change.

Sting Jets: Storm Kristin developed a "sting jet"—a rare, high-speed wind phenomenon increasingly common in warmer-core extratropical cyclones.

Moisture Capacity: A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture (roughly 7% more per degree Celsius), leading to the "extraordinary" rainfall seen in Storm Leonardo.

Warmer Oceans: Elevated sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic and Mediterranean provided additional energy, fueling rapid intensification.

Would you like to know more about the emergency aid packages being released by the Spanish and Portuguese governments for reconstruction?