A powerful snowstorm that hit Madrid and its surroundings became a real ordeal for thousands of residents in the region. With regular routes inaccessible and major highways nearly paralyzed, many people found themselves trapped on the roads or unable to leave their homes. For Spaniards unaccustomed to such weather disasters, the situation was both unexpected and alarming: transport gridlock, disruptions in public transit service, and forced safety measures affected virtually everyone.
Highway Blockade
The morning in Madrid began with chaos on the roads. Sections of the A-6 (Guadarrama – Las Rozas) and A-1 (Somosierra) motorways saw dozens of cars and buses blocked by heavy snowfall. Truck traffic was completely halted, and snowplows were unable to cope with the volume of snow. By 10:30 a.m., road services were strongly advising against travel on the A-6, where traffic toward the Guadarrama tunnel was virtually at a standstill.
The problems extended beyond these highways. On the A-1 near Venturada, drivers also found themselves in difficulty: the road became impassable, and vehicles were stuck right on the roadway. As a result, many drivers and passengers had to wait for help inside their vehicles, unable to continue their journey.
North and West Buried in Snow
The snowfall began before dawn and by the start of the morning rush hour had already blocked several key roads in the mountainous areas of Madrid. Entry into the Sierra de Guadarrama was nearly impossible: traffic was only allowed with chains or winter tires, and in some places, even that did not help. In the towns of Galapagar, Colmenarejo, Villanueva de la Cañada, and Valdemorillo, all traffic came to a halt—with abandoned cars and buses standing on the roads.
Many residents in the northern and western districts of the region were unable to leave their homes: the snow kept falling, while public services could not clear the streets in time. Serious jams also occurred between Tres Cantos and Colmenar Viejo, with several buses stuck on the highway and passengers waiting for evacuation.
Public transport and emergency measures
The situation with public transport became even more complicated: more than 30 EMT bus routes had to modify their routes or temporarily suspend service. Conditions were especially challenging in the northern areas of the capital—Fuencarral, Hortaleza, Moncloa, and surrounding neighborhoods. Roads became slippery and movement on them dangerous.
Madrid authorities have activated their emergency response plan: more than 5,600 municipal workers have been deployed to the streets, along with hundreds of pieces of equipment, including 208 salt and de-icer spreaders. Despite these efforts, by 11 a.m. numerous road closures had already been reported across the city, including in the Valdepeñas tunnel and on Sinesio Delgado street heading toward the A-6.
Recommendations and restrictions
Authorities strongly advise residents to avoid using personal vehicles, to use public transport whenever possible, and to closely follow updates on road conditions. In the northern and western areas of the region, chains or winter tires have become mandatory, while trucks are completely banned from major roads.
Educational institutions have been instructed to independently assess whether their buildings are accessible: if students or staff are unable to reach school, they are allowed to stay home. Nevertheless, schools and institutes remain open for those already on site.
A city in suspense
Snow continued to fall throughout the morning, and road conditions remained tense. In Valdebebas, Barajas, Aravaca, Montecarmelo, Sanchinarro, Las Tablas, and other northern neighborhoods of the capital, traffic was either severely slowed or completely stopped. Both drivers and pedestrians had to exercise maximum caution to avoid accidents and injuries.
Road services and emergency crews continue to operate in enhanced mode, but forecasts for the coming hours remain grim: the snowfall shows no sign of stopping, and the situation on the roads may worsen. Residents of Madrid can only follow updates and hope for a quick return to normal traffic conditions.
