Intense orographic precipitation associated with the Central range was analysed using data from 19 episodes, with the highest average values for the study area, of precipitation accumulated within 24 h, occurring between years 1958 to 2010. All events were associated with a south-westerly tropospheric flow, a low level jet, and high moisture flux at low levels. The observed moisture flux was higher than 100 m g (s kg)<sup>−1</sup> and the dry and wet Froude numbers were greater than 1. The selected area to study this synoptic situation was Gredos, broad and high range, which is located in the eastern part of the Central mountain range and generates leeward <q>orographic shadow</q>. The effect of the Central range on the spatial distribution of precipitation on the Iberian Peninsula plateau results in a sharp increase in precipitation in the south of the Central mountain range, followed by a decrease to the north of this range.