A string of fresh weather warnings have been issued across Spain as a rare Arctic blast hits the north, bringing up to 10 inches of snow to some areas – while rain and heavy winds are expected elsewhere
Brits in Spain this week could face dangerously wintry conditions as a rare Arctic blast sweeps across the country, dumping up to 25cm of snow across parts of the north.
A string of fresh weather warnings have been issued in dozens of regions, including some popular with tourists, as forecasters describe a “significant risk” of disruption for both travellers and locals.
The heaviest snowfall is expected around areas close to Santander, Bilbao and the Cantabrian Mountains, where 25cm (10 inches) of snow could fall within 24 hours. Higher ground – from around 900 metres upwards – is already seeing accumulating snow, with the freezing level (the altitude at which the air temperature is 0C) expected to sink to 700 metres by the end of today – especially further north.
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Mountain zones inland from Santander are among the areas on alert for around 20cm of snow, while several well-known areas in and around Navarre and northern La Rioja are expecting up to 10cm. Even the normally milder inland region near San Sebastián is forecast to receive around 5cm as the cold air digs deeper across the north coast.
But the wintry shock isn’t just confined to the northern fringe. Snowfall is also being reported further south, including areas around the Burgos Plateau, the La Rioja wine region, inland Zaragoza province, and elevated parts of the Castellón region north of Valencia.
Alongside with the snow risk, forecasters have also issued rain, wind and storm warnings for Mallorca, where strong gusts and heavy showers are expected throughout the day. Most weather alerts remain in force until 6pm today.
According to the Met Office, temperatures across major Spanish cities are also running cold. Zaragoza and Madrid will barely reach 5C today, while Bilbao sits at 7C with rain.
Coastal favourites Valencia, Seville and Málaga fare a little better at around 10–11C with sunny spells, while Barcelona will see a chilly 8C.
Approximately 18million Brits visit Spain each year, making it the most popular holiday destination for UK citizens. Last month, British travellers were warned to brace for severe weather warnings and travel disruption in Murcia, southeastern Spain, and Valencia, located in the eastern part of Spain along the Mediterranean coast.
It comes after temperatures fell as low as minus 11C overnight in the UK. According to the Met Office, the frigid temperature was recorded at Loch Glascarnoch in the Scottish Highlands, with the mercury dipping below minus 7C across much of the country.
Temperatures were slightly milder in England and Wales, with lows of minus 6C at Trawsgoed in Ceredigion, Wales and minus 4C at Rostherne, Cheshire.
Forecaster Simon Partridge said the chill stemmed primarily from “a little ridge of high pressure moving across the UK overnight”, adding “the main difference between that and previous nights is the winds are a lot lighter”.