In the coming days, Spain is set to experience sharp weather changes that will affect millions across the country. By the weekend, the usual May heat will give way to genuine winter cold, potentially impacting transportation, agriculture, and even public health. Such a dramatic temperature swing is rare for this time of year and is causing concern among experts.
According to RUSSPAIN, significant temperature increases are expected nationwide on Thursday and Friday. In some regions, thermometers will reach 30 degrees, and in individual cities like Zaragoza and Lleida, records for mid-spring may be set. The warming will be especially noticeable in Andalusia, Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, and Salamanca, where maximum temperatures will exceed average long-term norms by 10–15 degrees.
However, by Saturday, conditions will change dramatically. An atmospheric front will bring cold air and precipitation, leading to a rapid drop in temperatures. Over 48 hours, some areas will see maximum readings fall by more than 15 degrees, and in certain spots, up to 20 degrees. Interior areas of Castilla y León and central provinces such as Guadalajara, Madrid, and Cuenca will see daytime highs struggling to reach 10–15 degrees.
The last summer days are fading
On Thursday, minimum temperatures across the country began to rise, especially in the east, southwest, and north. In most regions, nighttime temperatures exceeded 5 degrees, and in the north, the Ebro Valley, the Mediterranean coast, and the south, temperatures surpassed 10 degrees. During the day, heat returned to the southwestern areas, where maximum temperatures increased by 10 degrees or more. In cities such as Guadalajara, Toledo, and Logroño, temperatures reached 28–29 degrees, while in Zaragoza and Lleida, they climbed to 30 degrees.
On Friday, the warming trend will continue: minimum temperatures will rise above 10 degrees almost everywhere, except in mountainous areas and some provinces of Castilla y León. Maximum temperatures will reach 30 degrees in Ourense, Guadalajara, Zaragoza, Toledo, Granada, and Almería. In Madrid, Cuenca, Teruel, Girona, Murcia, Pamplona, and Bilbao, 28–30 degrees are expected. In most regions, temperatures will be 5–15 degrees higher than is typical for this time of year.
Weather shifts course
As the weekend begins, the weather pattern will change dramatically. A cold front will bring rain and a sharp drop in temperatures across the country. Within two days, temperatures in some areas will fall by 15–20 degrees. In Castilla y León on Sunday, daytime highs will not exceed 10 degrees, and in Madrid, Guadalajara, and Cuenca, they will reach only 15 degrees. Residents will once again need to bring out their warm clothing despite the recent heat.
Nighttime temperatures will also drop sharply, and frost is possible in several parts of the central plateau and mountainous areas. The lowest readings are expected on Monday, when atmospheric conditions stabilize. In Daroca, for example, the forecast is 30 degrees on Friday, but by Sunday, temperatures will not exceed 10 degrees, illustrating the scale of the weather change.
Consequences and context
Such sharp temperature swings are rare in Spain, but in recent years meteorologists have increasingly observed abnormal weather events. In 2023, a similar temperature plunge occurred in early May, when a brief heatwave was followed by a cold front bringing rain and nighttime frosts. These events can have a negative impact on crops, especially in regions with well-developed agriculture, and may also cause disruptions in transport and energy supply. Analysis by russpain.com indicates that these weather fluctuations are becoming increasingly common in spring, demanding greater attention from both authorities and the public.
