Winter has made its presence known again in Spain: in the coming days, a series of cold fronts will sweep across the country, bringing not only rain but also snowfall and strong coastal winds. The weather began to shift at the start of the week, with many regions already feeling the first signs of approaching bad weather. Atmospheric fronts moving in from the Atlantic will cross the Iberian Peninsula one after another, setting the stage for true winter conditions.
Storm warnings have been issued for coastal areas in the north and northwest. Sea conditions have reached dangerous levels, with waves in some spots exceeding six meters high. The situation is particularly severe in Galicia, where the provinces of A Coruña, Lugo, and Pontevedra are under orange alerts. Cantabria and Asturias are also experiencing intense storm activity. On the eastern coast, in Andalucía and the País Vasco, yellow warnings remain in effect.
Snow and freezing temperatures
As the front approaches, temperatures will drop significantly, and snow will begin to fall in the mountains. The heaviest snowfall is expected in the Sistema Central and the northern parts of the Sistema Ibérica. In the next 24 hours, snow cover may appear at elevations between 1,000 and 1,200 meters, and in some areas, snow depth could reach five centimeters. This will be especially true for the mountain areas of Madrid, as well as the provinces of Ávila, Segovia, and Burgos. Drivers planning to travel on mountain roads should be particularly cautious: snow and icy conditions may cause traffic disruptions.
After the first front passes, some clear spells may appear in the sky, but it’s too soon to relax. By the evening of the following day, a new Atlantic cyclone will bring more rain, which will be especially heavy in the west of Galicia. Here, showers could be prolonged and, in some places, very intense, increasing the risk of local flooding.
Rain and wind
Wednesday will be a transitional day: in the morning, most regions will see variable cloud cover, but by evening the weather will worsen again. Rains from the west will gradually move deeper into the country, reaching central and northern areas overnight. With temperatures dropping, the snow line will remain between 1,000 and 1,400 meters, leading to fresh snow in the mountains of northern and central Spain.
On Thursday, precipitation will cover almost the entire peninsula and the Balearic Islands (Islas Baleares). Showers are possible in the west, and in the northern mountains, snow will continue to fall at elevations from 1,000 to 1,400 meters, while in the southeast this level will be slightly higher. Particularly challenging conditions are expected on the Costa Cantábrica, with strong storms and high waves likely to persist throughout the day. In the mountains and northwest, wind gusts may reach significant speeds, potentially causing falling trees and other hazards.
Weather for the Weekend
On Friday night and into the morning, rain will continue in the northern interior and the Balearic Islands. Cold air will remain, with snow levels staying low—from 1,000 to 1,200 meters. The country’s interior, especially the plateau and mountainous areas, will face morning frost, typical of the harshest winter conditions.
By Friday evening, temperatures will rise slightly, but it will still feel cold. On Saturday, the main area of instability will shift to Galicia, where more rain is expected due to another Atlantic front. On Sunday, precipitation is likely to reach the Costa Cantábrica as well, where gray and overcast conditions will persist. Other regions of the country may see a brief respite with variable cloud cover.
