Severe weather encompasses meteorological phenomena capable of causing significant damage or risk to life. Criteria vary by country; in Europe, ESTOFEX defines thresholds: hail ≥2 cm, gusts ≥90 km/h, tornadoes, rainfall ≥60 mm/h.
In Spain, the most frequent severe events are Mediterranean autumn torrential rains, summer hailstorms in the interior, and winter Atlantic gales. High CAPE combined with shear is the most reliable indicator of storm severity potential.