The Balearic Islands are at high risk (orange alert) of "heavy rains" from midnight tonight, according to the head of the State Meteorological Office (AEMET) for the archipelago, Agustín Jansá.

Jansá pointed out that the islands have already been on yellow alert from 2am today, meaning that they are at risk of very heavy rain, however this 'risk' will become a 'high risk' as from midnight.

In all, twelve Comunidades - Catalunya, Comunidad Valenciana, Balearic Islands, Murcia, Andalucía, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, Aragón, Madrid, Navarra, La Rioja and Galicia - are on alert because of the intense downpours affecting the country as a whole, but the east side in particular.

Extremely heavy rain is expected in the north of Valencia province and in Castellón province, where up to 50 litres of rain per sqaure metre is expected to fall, with up to 40 litres an hour expected in Barcelona and Tarragona.

The Civil Protection Service is advising drivers to slow down, be much more careful and not to stop anywhere that is likely to get flooded.  If the downpour becomes torrential, it is important to be aware that there is a high risk of flooding and it is extremely dangerous to try to cross flooded roads either on foot or by car.