Storm Leonardo brought gale-force winds and heavy rain to the Strait of Gibraltar on Wednesday, forcing the cancellation of passenger services in the Bay of Algeciras and triggering operational disruption across southern Spain, according to the Autoridad Portuaria de la Bahía de Algeciras.
Gibraltar’s port authority simultaneously issued warnings for severe winds and intense rainfall in local waters.
Andalusia’s public ports agency ordered ports across the maritime province of Cádiz to close as southwesterly conditions intensified into a force-8 wind event.
The Gibraltar Port Authority forecast sustained winds of about 30 knots, with gusts reaching 45–50 knots, alongside rainfall accumulations of 80–120mm and a high risk of localised flooding.
A separate Hot Port News advisory from GAC noted that both Gibraltar and Algeciras had been closed with operations suspended during a recent severe-weather episode, underscoring the Strait’s vulnerability to gale conditions.
