A Sharp Cold Snap Expected in Spain Due to Arctic Air. Starting May 15, Spain will experience a sudden plunge in temperatures. Arctic air will bring snow and overnight frosts to regions where warm weather is already the norm. Temperature anomalies of up to -15°C from the average are expected.
Starting midweek, Spain will face a sharp drop in temperatures: meteorologists are warning of an influx of Arctic and polar air that will bring frosts and snowfalls unusual for May. According to the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET), beginning May 15, temperatures in most regions will fall to levels typical of March. Authorities and meteorologists note that the weather conditions will be especially harsh for this time of year.
Unseasonal cold and snow
On Wednesday, clouds and rain will cover the north and center of Spain, and thunderstorms are expected in mountain and inland areas. According to the AEMET forecast, the cold air mass will cause temperatures to drop significantly across the country. On Thursday, unstable and cool weather will persist, especially in the north, where there may be precipitation and snow in the Pyrenees. Meteorologists warn that snow may fall as low as 1,200 meters by evening.
Coldest day to hit on Friday
The coldest day is expected on Friday, when cold maritime air reaches the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands. According to Meteored experts, temperatures in some inland areas could be 15 degrees below the average for May. Some regions may experience nighttime frosts and minimum temperatures typical for late March or early April.
Winter-like conditions for the weekend
By the weekend, the cold snap will intensify: in most inland regions of the country, nighttime temperatures will drop 6–10 degrees below average. Especially cold dawns are expected, with light frosts possible in rural areas. In several cities, morning temperatures will not rise above 5°C. Daytime warming will be minimal: in northern and central regions, temperatures will reach only 10–15°C due to north winds and dense cloud cover.
Amid the general cold spell, only in the southeast of the country will temperatures remain higher — here daytime readings may exceed 25°C, a sharp contrast with the rest of Spain.
This weather event coincides with the so-called 'Santos del Hielo' week — a period traditionally associated with unexpected cold spells in May and noted in popular folklore.
