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Spain and Portugal faced severe storms during the weekend of February 9, 2026. This event occurred just days after two other deadly storms hit the region. Storm Marta moved across the Iberian Peninsula on Saturday, February 7. It brought heavy rain and caused the death of two people. This added to a tragic week for the area.
Last week, Storm Kristin hit land on a Saturday. It killed at least five people. Just a few days later, Storm Leonardo took another life on a Wednesday. These three storms in such a short time created a dangerous situation. The ground was still wet from the earlier rains, making the new storms even more dangerous for everyone living there.
The weather outlook for the week of February 9 showed more rain coming to Spain, Portugal, and France. The heaviest rain was expected in the north-west part of Portugal. In that area, more than 100 millimeters of rain fell during the first half of the week. Later in the week, the heaviest rain moved toward southern Italy. It also affected western parts of Greece and Turkey. People in these regions needed to stay alert and follow local weather warnings.
High rainfall totals were also expected in parts of South Africa and Lesotho that week. By Saturday, provinces like the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and Eastern Cape saw widespread rain. Some areas recorded totals between 80 and 100 millimeters. This rain came from heavy showers or thunderstorms. In spots where storms were particularly intense, daily totals reached 50 millimeters.
The South African Weather Service had issued warnings for severe thunderstorms. These warnings covered the first half of that week. The storms brought a risk of excessive lightning, gusty winds, and hail. Because of this, flooding, mudslides, and damage to roads and buildings were expected. Officials warned that these events could potentially affect more than 10 million people. Families in these areas were advised to avoid traveling if roads were flooded.