Snow and cold alerts remain active across much of Spain as Storm Francis continues to impact the country
Credit : Ministerio del Interior
@interiorgob
Spain is waking up to a wintry shock as Storm Francis continues to sweep across the country, bringing snow, heavy rain and sharply falling temperatures just as families prepare for the Three Kings celebrations. What was already a wet weekend in parts of Andalucía has now turned into a full-blown winter episode, with widespread weather alerts, road closures and growing concern over travel and safety.
The storm, fuelled by a mass of Arctic air, is marking the start of the week with conditions more typical of mid-winter than early January. Cold, snow and rain are affecting large parts of the peninsula, with authorities urging people to stay informed and avoid unnecessary journeys.
Snow spreads across Spain as weather alerts remain active
Spain’s national weather agency, AEMET, has placed 11 autonomous communities under snow alerts, highlighting the scale of the episode. Cantabria is facing the most severe conditions, with an orange warning in place due to the risk of significant snowfall. In this region, snow accumulations of around five centimetres are expected within 24 hours from altitudes as low as 700 to 800 metres.
Elsewhere, yellow alerts are active in Catalonia, Madrid, Aragón, Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, Asturias, Galicia, Murcia, the Valencian Community and parts of Andalucía. Snow is forecast to fall at relatively low levels in many of these areas, increasing the risk of disruption during the working week.
Madrid is among the regions closely watching the skies. Snowfall is expected until midday, and while accumulations in the city itself may be limited, conditions in the Sierra could see up to five centimetres. Even in metropolitan areas and the Henares corridor, light snow and icy patches are possible, with temperatures remaining below zero throughout much of the day.
Roads hit hard as snow and ice cause widespread disruption
The impact on Spain’s road network has been immediate. According to the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT), more than 30 roads are experiencing difficulties, including several key routes. One of the most significant incidents occurred on the A-2 motorway near Cervera, in the province of Barcelona, where the road was closed following an accident linked to snowy conditions. The closure led to long queues and further delays in the area.
Problems have also been reported on major roads in Aragón, Madrid, Castilla y León and parts of Andalucía. In some areas, chains are mandatory, while speed limits have been reduced and heavy vehicles banned from certain stretches. Several mountain roads have been completely closed due to snow and ice, leaving some communities temporarily cut off.
Snow is not the only concern. In the south, heavy rainfall continues to cause flooding issues. Thirteen roads remain closed due to flooding, mainly in the provinces of Cádiz and Málaga, with one affected road also reported in Mallorca. In Cádiz, authorities ordered the preventive evacuation of 470 homes located downstream from the Guadarranque reservoir, after rising river levels raised safety concerns in several towns and urban areas.
Freezing temperatures add to the winter pressure
Alongside snow and rain, the cold itself is becoming a major issue. Temperatures have dropped sharply, with overnight lows expected to reach minus seven degrees in the mountains around Madrid and even colder values in other inland areas. In parts of Guadalajara, minimum temperatures could fall to minus eight degrees, while the Pyrenees and northern mountain ranges are bracing for similarly harsh conditions.
Catalonia has activated its emergency cold-weather plan, warning that temperatures could fall to minus twelve degrees in the Pyrenees over the coming days. Even coastal areas are not being spared, with minimum temperatures close to zero and the risk of localised frost.
Weather experts warn that the combination of snow, ice and freezing air will continue to pose risks, particularly during early mornings and at night, when roads and pavements are most likely to freeze. Authorities are advising drivers to check conditions before travelling, carry winter equipment where required and avoid high-altitude routes unless absolutely necessary.
As Storm Francis continues to move across the peninsula, Spain is facing several more days of challenging winter weather. With Three Kings celebrations just around the corner, many families will be keeping a close eye on forecasts, hoping conditions ease in time – but for now, caution remains the watchword across much of the country.
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