Storm disruptions failed to stop Costa Blanca’s Three Kings’ celebrations.
Photo credit: Osman Rana / Unsplash
A RECENT bout of bad weather has forced several municipalities in the Costa Blanca South to reschedule or adapt their Three Kings’ celebrations, originally set in many places for Monday, January 5. With cold, rain, and even snow in some areas of Spain, Storm Francis wreaked havoc over the weekend, affecting up to nine autonomous communities (including Andalucia) with heavy rainfall and flood warnings … but locals in the Costa Blanca did not allow this to get in the way of their Three Kings’ Day.
Storm Francis batters Costa Blanca just ahead of Three Kings’ Day celebrations
In the province of Alicante, Sunday, January 4 and Monday, January 5, saw a yellow alert for coastal phenomena from AEMET, the Spanish Meteorological Agency. In towns including Torrevieja, Dolores, San Fulgencio, and Orihuela, the threat of heavy rainfall and snow on the approach of an arctic air mass meant the unfortunate cancellation or rescheduling of the traditional Three Kings’ Parade. However, this didn’t deter the residents of Costa Blanca from celebrating indoors, delivering presents early, or having intimate family and friends gatherings while waiting for the rain to let up.
Storm Francis, fuelled by a mass of Arctic air, activated yellow alerts across the country – not just on the Costa Blanca – including in the communities of Catalonia, Madrid, Aragon, Castilla y Leon, Castilla-La Mancha, Asturias, Galicia, Murcia, the Valencian Community and parts of Andalucia.
Citizens and residents should take precautions if driving
As for the upcoming couple of days, experts have warned that the combination of snow, ice and freezing air will continue to pose risks, particularly during early mornings and at night, due to black ice on the roads. Authorities including the Spanish Directorate-General for Traffic, or DGT, are advising drivers to check conditions before travelling, carry winter equipment in their cars where required, and avoid high-altitude routes.
Though Storm Francis battered much of Spain over the weekend, Costa Blanca neighbours did not let the rain cast a gloom over their festive spirits, and welcomed the new year with an attitude that got them through the worst of the storm.
Read more news from Costa Blanca South here.