Storm Leonardo over the Alboran Sea
Storm Leonardo hit the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa on 3 February 2026, bringing heavy rainfall and widespread flooding. In Andalusia, southern Spain, rainfall exceeded 200-400 mm within 24 hours.
This Copernicus Sentinel-1 radar image, acquired on 4 February 2026 at 06:18 UTC, shows the impact of the storm over the Alboran Sea. The sea surface is marked by long streaks in a wind-aligned pattern caused by variations in surface roughness. Intense winds and turbulent sea conditions visible in the image, disrupted maritime traffic, leading to the closure of key ports, including Gibraltar and Algeciras.
Located between Spain and Morocco, the Strait of Gibraltar is one of the busiest maritime passages globally. Copernicus Sentinel-1 data support the monitoring of sea state and the consequences of extreme weather events, contributing to maritime safety, port management, and emergency response planning.
