Andorra Rivers Hit Above-Average Flows in May 2026, Recovering from Decade Drought

Andorra's rivers posted above-average flows in May 2026, solidifying recovery from a decade of drought pressures. Data from the Principat d'Andorra's Monthly Water Resources Monitoring Bulletin showed the Borda Sabater station averaging close to 20 cubic metres per second, topping the 18 cubic metres per second benchmark from the 2016-2025 period.

The improvement stood out against prior drought-hit months, with May 2025 at 13 cubic metres per second, 2024 at 14, and 2023 at only 7. Oriol Travesset, a researcher at Andorra Recerca i Innovació (AR+I), noted that water resources have now returned to normal levels after years of low rainfall. He highlighted a turnaround starting in 2024, stabilisation in 2025, and full recovery visible from February 2026 onward. "We're doing well compared to the last ten years; we've surpassed the reference period," Travesset said.

Heavy winter precipitation and early snowmelt fuelled the gains. FEDA's central station recorded 136.3 mm in January—up from 26.2 mm the year before—and 98 mm in February, versus 21.7 mm previously. An intense early-May thaw added to the surge, despite the month's dry, warm conditions. May saw 11 days over 25°C, forming part of the warmest spring since 1950, where one in three April-May days had temperature anomalies exceeding 5°C. The high reached 33.1°C, equalling some 2022 daily records according to the government's Climate Bulletin. Winter snow piled up to 3.5 metres at the Sorteny station, pushing a May 4 peak of 44 cubic metres per second at Borda Sabater. For context, June 17's daily maximum sat around 10 cubic metres per second.

While notable, these levels trailed decade highs, including May 2018's 32 cubic metre monthly average and a 125 cubic metre instantaneous peak on May 10, 2016. The figures nonetheless point to lasting hydrological progress, though experts urge ongoing vigilance amid climate-driven extremes.