Harsh winter conditions have once again made their presence felt on the Iberian Peninsula. The snowstorm Ingrid overnight turned the roads into a trap for hundreds of drivers. By Friday morning, traffic was hindered or completely halted on 53 routes, including four major highways. Meteorologists warn that the snow level will continue to drop, and by Friday evening the white blanket could reach as low as 300 meters, especially in the northwestern regions.
Authorities are openly concerned: the situation is developing rapidly, and the forecasts are pessimistic. Drivers are advised not to take risks and to avoid traveling if possible. However, not everyone has that luxury—truck traffic jams have already formed, and some sections are completely closed to vehicles.
Schools and roads
Galicia has made an unprecedented decision: all educational institutions in the province of Ourense are closed for the entire day. Similar measures affect the mountain areas, the south and center of Lugo province, as well as the inland regions of Pontevedra. Truck drivers are banned from traveling on key stretches of highways—on the A-6 between Cuevas and Pedrafita do Cebreiro, as well as on the A-52 near Requejo (Zamora).
The situation is especially difficult in the province of Zamora. Since early morning, hundreds of trucks have been stranded on the highways: around 300 vehicles are concentrated at kilometer 15 of the A-52 in Quintanilla de Urz, another 20 in Mombuey at kilometer 54, and up to 120 in Puebla de Sanabria at kilometer 79 of the same route. Drivers have to wait until the weather improves and road services clear the way.
Total blockade
Eight regional roads are completely closed to traffic. Among them are the A-395 and A-4025 in Sierra Nevada, AL-5405 in Benacebada (Granada), LN-8 in El Quempu (Asturias), DSA-191 in Candelario (Salamanca), CC-224 in Hervás (Cáceres), as well as two roads in Navarra: NA-2011 in Pikatua and NA-2012 in Irati. Traffic here is impossible, even for passenger cars.
Road services strongly recommend using chains or winter tires, and before setting out, be sure to check the latest information about road and weather conditions. Overtaking is prohibited for heavy vehicles on nine roads in Huesca, eleven in Asturias, and one in Lleida. In Castilla y León, restrictions are in place on several sections in the provinces of Burgos, León, and Salamanca. In Galicia, two roads in Ourense and Lugo are also closed to trucks.
Restrictions and Cancellations
Authorities in Galicia, anticipating worsening weather conditions, have decided to suspend classes not only in schools but also in kindergartens throughout the province of Ourense. In Lugo and Pontevedra, educational institutions in mountainous and inland areas have been closed. Parents are urgently having to change their plans, while children have unexpectedly received extra days off.
A red alert has been issued due to storm waves along the coast. On Friday, all outdoor events at educational institutions in the northwest, west, and southwest of the province of A Coruña, in Mariña de Lugo, as well as in the Rías Baixas and Miño areas of the province of Pontevedra, have been cancelled. Locals are watching as the elements quite literally dictate their own rules.
A test for everyone
The Ingrid snowstorm has become a real challenge for road services, drivers, and residents of northwest Spain. Authorities are forced to act proactively to prevent tragedies on the roads. But even the strictest measures do not always protect against nature’s whims. Hundreds of people found themselves trapped on highways, and the usual rhythm of daily life has been disrupted.
The situation on the roads remains extremely tense. Drivers are advised to exercise maximum caution, and those already on the road should be patient. The elements show no sign of relenting, and the next 24 hours will be a true test for everyone caught in Ingrid’s path.
