Aemet Switches to Manual Updates After Technical Glitch Disrupts Weather Alerts on X
Spain's State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has switched to manual updates after a technical glitch caused its automated system to post incorrect weather alert maps on social media.
The reliability of official weather alerts has been called into question following a technical glitch at the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet). The agency reported that an automated system used to post alerts on X (formerly Twitter) malfunctioned, causing incorrect maps to be shared that misrepresented the severity of Storm Therese.
The issue, which began last Monday, stems from a synchronization error between the agency’s forecast database and its automated posting tool. This caused the maps displayed on social media to fail to reflect current weather warnings. For example, while parts of northern Gran Canaria were under an orange rainfall alert, the automated system failed to show any warning at all, highlighting the risks of relying solely on automated technology during emergencies.
Aemet has clarified that the error is limited to its social media channels and does not reflect the accuracy of its actual weather forecasts. The agency confirmed that its meteorological analysis and monitoring remain fully operational, and that all critical data was sent to Civil Protection and emergency services as planned. While IT teams work to fix the system, the agency has switched to posting updates manually.
To avoid confusion, Aemet is urging the public to check its official website for the most accurate and up-to-date information, as this is where all validated data is centralized. The agency has apologized for the inconvenience and emphasized that the integrity of its official warnings remains intact despite these digital technical difficulties.