Spain is once again in the grip of winter: freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall have brought traffic to a standstill on dozens of roads nationwide. Drivers caught on the highways faced harsh conditions—drifts, icy winds, and a sudden deep freeze turned familiar routes treacherous and, in some areas, completely impassable. In certain regions, temperatures plunged to extreme lows, and road services were forced to close entire stretches to traffic.
Overnight into Wednesday, temperatures in the Cap de Vaqueira area (Lleida) dropped to minus 17.4 degrees. In Andalucía’s Sierra Nevada mountains (Granada), it hit minus 16.7. In Guadalajara (Castilla-La Mancha), a red alert was issued in the morning due to severe cold—Parameras de Molina recorded minus 14, though the warning was lifted by 9 a.m. Orange cold alerts remained in effect in the Pirineo oscense, Albarracín y Jiloca (Teruel).
Roads buried under snow
Snowfall hit the road network hardest. The most severe disruptions are being reported in Andalucía, Asturias, Cantabria, Galicia, Navarra, and Castilla y León. In total, 35 roads have been affected—only one of them a main route, the rest secondary. Eight highways have been declared impassable, with all traffic banned.
In particular, A-395 and A-4025 in the Sierra Nevada area (Granada) are closed in Andalusia. In Asturias, AS-265 (Valdebueyes), CO-4 (Covadonga), and LN-8 (El Quempu) are blocked. In Navarra — NA-2011 (Pikatua) and NA-2012 (Irati). In the province of Salamanca, DSA-191 (Candelario) is impassable. On some roads, such as the A-6 near Astorga (León), driving is permitted only with extreme caution.
Chains and restrictions
Chains are now mandatory on several roads. In Almería, this applies to AL-4404 and AL-5405; in Granada — A-4030 and A-4301. In Asturias, the list of restricted routes is especially long: AS-112, AS-117, AS-213, AS-227, AS-228, AS-230, AS-252, AS-254, and S-265. In Cantabria — CA-183 and CA-28; in Galicia — OU-122 and OU-0704; in Burgos — BU-571 and BU-574; and in Salamanca — DSA-180 and SA-203.
Truck traffic is banned on some sections, while passenger cars are advised to proceed with maximum caution. Road crews are working in emergency mode, but the weather is relentless — snow continues to fall and temperatures are slow to rise above zero.
Weather alerts
As road crews battle the elements, meteorologists warn it’s too soon to relax. On Thursday, a yellow alert for high winds — with gusts up to 80 km/h — has been issued in the northern parts of Castellón and Valencia provinces. Hazardous coastal conditions are also expected.
As Cyclone Francis, which brought a sharp cold snap to the country, moves away, a new threat is already looming on the horizon. Meteorologists forecast Cyclone Goretti will form between Thursday and Friday. It is expected to bring stormy weather to Spain’s northern coast — strong winds and heavy rain may worsen conditions on the roads and in coastal areas.
A Test for the Regions
Residents of mountainous and northern areas are having an especially hard time. In Galicia, Navarra, Cantabria, and Asturias, snowfall has not let up for several days. In Andalucía, despite its southern location, the cold and snow have come as a real shock to locals. In Castilla y León, where temperature swings are common, even seasoned drivers have been caught off guard by this winter.
Authorities are urging citizens to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary and to always check road conditions and carry snow chains if they must drive. Nevertheless, many motorists continue to take risks despite the warnings, which is leading to traffic jams and accidents.
What’s Next
Meteorologists are not predicting a warm spell any time soon. On the contrary, conditions are likely to worsen with the approach of a new weather front. Road services are bracing for further challenges, while locals prepare for more bitterly cold nights and surprise snowfalls. Spain, accustomed to mild winters, clearly did not expect such a turn this year. Still, as experience shows, Spaniards know how to cope with capricious weather—even if not without some difficulties.
