Cold Front Brings Rain and Snow to Spain as Holy Week Approaches
The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has issued a warning for continued meteorological instability throughout Tuesday and Wednesday across the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, attributed to the arrival of a cold front. This front is expected to bring cloudy skies and precipitation, particularly in the eastern regions of Spain, prompting alerts for rain storms, wind, snowfall, and coastal phenomena in several areas.
As the cold front passes, postfrontal instability will lead to showers and storms that are likely to affect a vast majority of the Peninsula. However, weather conditions are expected to improve gradually from west to east. AEMET has indicated that some of the precipitation might be accompanied by hail, especially in the eastern third of the Peninsula and the northernmost extremes where storm activity could be notably intense.
The Atlantic coast and parts of the Cantabrian region will experience persistent rainfall, while snowfall is anticipated in mountainous areas in both the north and southeast, potentially impacting adjacent regions as well. Snow accumulation is expected with levels varying from 900 to 1200 meters in the northwest, dropping from 1800–2000 meters to between 1000 and 1400 meters elsewhere in the country. Significant snow accumulations are projected in the Cantabrian and Pyrenees mountains above 1100 meters.
Meanwhile, in the Canary Islands, cloudy skies with potential light rains are forecasted for the northern parts, while the southern parts will experience some cloudiness. Regarding temperatures, a notable decrease is expected across much of the Peninsula, particularly in the interior areas, while the eastern coastal regions will remain relatively stable. The Balearic Islands will see a slight to moderate drop in minimum temperatures, while the Canary Islands will experience no significant changes.
Looking forward to Holy Week, a rainy timeline is anticipated, with occasional snowfall. Maundy Thursday, April 17, is expected to be the most stable day, although rains are likely to persist in Galicia, with weak showers possibly appearing in the Cantabrian Pyrenees and Andalusia. Temperatures are predicted to rise broadly, with winds shifting to the southwest, particularly along the Galician Atlantic coast.
From Friday, April 18 to Monday, April 21, another cold front is expected to bring rain to the western parts of the Peninsula, spreading weakly to other regions. The weekend will likely be marked by instability, characterized by showers, storms, and possible snowfall in mountainous areas. The Canary Islands will continue to experience trade winds along with light rains.
This forecast stands in stark contrast to the sunny and warm days experienced in much of Spain last week, where temperatures soared to as high as 28 degrees Celsius. Meteored describes this sharp change in weather as akin to a time travel experience, noting that such fluctuations are typical of spring. The arrival of a polar air mass from Greenland is set to cause significant drops in temperatures and snow levels across the country.
Specifically, Meteored highlights that this polar air mass could result in some memorable snowfall in several provincial capitals. Regions most likely to be affected include Galicia, Asturias, Castilla y León, La Rioja, Cantabria, and the Basque Country, where accumulations of up to 10 cm are expected. The Central and Iberian Systems may also see snow but only in higher mountainous areas, while southern regions such as the Sierra Nevada and the Sierra de Cazorla could witness accumulations exceeding 15 cm.
Additionally, unusual snowfalls are anticipated in cities like Burgos, Segovia, and Ávila during the early hours of Wednesday, with flakes potentially reaching capitals such as Soria or Cuenca. As such, cold temperatures and snowfall will characterize the lead-up to Holy Week in Spain.
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