Britons in Spain are bracing for harsh winter conditions this week as an unusual Arctic blast sweeps through the country, bringing with it the possibility of up to 25cm of snow in parts of the northern regions.
Multiple weather alerts have been issued in various areas, including popular tourist destinations, with forecasters warning of a “significant risk” of travel disruptions for both visitors and locals.
The heaviest snowfall is anticipated in regions near Santander, Bilbao, and the Cantabrian Mountains, where up to 25cm (10 inches) of snow could accumulate within a day. Higher elevations, starting from approximately 900 meters, are already experiencing snow accumulation, and the freezing level is expected to drop to 700 meters by the end of the day, especially in the northern areas.
Mountainous areas inland from Santander are on alert for about 20cm of snow, while locations in and around Navarre and northern La Rioja could see up to 10cm of snow. Even regions typically experiencing milder winters near San Sebastián are forecasted to receive around 5cm of snow as cold air pushes further across the northern coast.
The wintry conditions are not limited to the northern territories, as snowfall has been reported in southern areas, including the Burgos Plateau, the La Rioja vineyards, inland Zaragoza province, and elevated parts of the Castellón region to the north of Valencia.
In addition to the snow risk, meteorologists have issued warnings for rain, wind, and storms in Mallorca, where strong gusts and heavy showers are expected throughout the day. Most weather alerts are in effect until 6 pm.
According to the Met Office, major Spanish cities are experiencing colder temperatures, with Zaragoza and Madrid barely reaching 5°C today, while Bilbao is at 7°C with rainy conditions. Coastal cities like Valencia, Seville, and Málaga are slightly warmer, hovering around 10–11°C with sunny intervals, while Barcelona is set to have a cool day at 8°C.
Spain, with approximately 18 million British visitors annually, remains a top holiday destination for UK citizens. Recent severe weather warnings and travel disruptions were issued for Murcia in southeastern Spain and Valencia on the eastern Mediterranean coast.
The cold snap in Spain follows freezing temperatures in the UK, where overnight lows plummeted to as low as minus 11°C. The Met Office reported that the coldest temperature was recorded at Loch Glascarnoch in the Scottish Highlands, with many parts of the country dipping below minus 7°C.
England and Wales experienced slightly milder conditions, with lows of minus 6°C in Trawsgoed, Ceredigion, Wales, and minus 4°C in Rostherne, Cheshire.
Meteorologist Simon Partridge attributed the chill to a high-pressure ridge moving across the UK overnight, noting that lighter winds were a key difference from previous nights.
