Storm Kristin Disrupts Life Across Spain with Rains, Winds, and Snow

This Wednesday, Spain is grappling with the severe impact of Storm Kristin, which has unleashed heavy rains, strong winds, and significant snowfall across the Peninsula. Specifically, Andalusia and Extremadura have been forced to suspend educational activities due to the dangerous weather conditions. The storm has triggered hundreds of incidents, including road closures and multiple weather alerts in several regions. In Extremadura, the regional government decided to cancel morning classes on January 28 in all educational institutions. This was a proactive measure as forecasts predicted heavy downpours accompanied by snow and fierce winds, prompting yellow and orange alerts for precipitation. Rainfall could accumulate to as much as 80 liters per square meter over 12 hours, with some areas expecting totals near 200 liters and wind gusts exceeding 90 kilometers per hour. Furthermore, northern Cáceres is under an active alert for snow, predicting accumulation of up to five centimeters at elevations above 600 meters. The government emphasized that the evolving weather makes it difficult to predict the most impacted areas, thus prioritizing safety in travel. The storm has had a considerable effect on transportation, affecting 90 roads, and leaving 37 blocked, particularly impacting the provinces of Cádiz and Madrid. In fact, Cádiz reported the highest number of weather-related incidents, while the Spanish capital is dealing with consequences resulting from the rain and snowfall, including blocked and flooded streets. In total, there have been nearly 800 incidents recorded in Andalusia alone, according to Minister of Health, Presidency, and Emergencies, Antonio Sanz. Following a night meeting of the Emergency Plan Advisory Committee, he warned that another storm might impact the region on the upcoming Sunday, demanding that residents continue to take preventive precautions amid a backdrop of heavy rains and coastal disturbances. Seville accounts for the most incidents, registering 168, followed by Cádiz with 159 and Málaga with 139. Tragically, a woman in Torremolinos passed away after being struck by a falling palm tree during the storm’s onslaught. The situation escalated as rising water levels in rivers prompted preventive evacuations, particularly near the Guadarranque River, where government officials have taken measures to monitor and manage the situation. The Andalusian government has been actively draining the riverbed to mitigate concerns that anticipated rainfall could worsen the current flooding. Weather alerts across the region indicate a red level in Almería for wind gusts up to 130 kilometers per hour, alongside an orange level for the rest of Andalusia. Rain has prompted ongoing alerts in Cádiz and Málaga, with a yellow level elsewhere in the region except for Almería, Huelva, and Seville. A committee is scheduled to reconvene at 9 a.m. to reassess the situation. The storm's wide-reaching consequences extend to the road network, with a total of 19 roads closed across Andalusia due to water accumulation, landslides, and snow, particularly affecting routes in Cádiz and sections in Córdoba, Málaga, Granada, and Almería where significant snowfall has been reported in Sierra Nevada. Areas such as Galicia and the Balearic Islands are also under close watch due to Storm Kristin's effects, with widespread precipitation and heavy winds reaching hurricane-force gusts in some southeastern regions. The northern half of the country faces snowfall, with elevations experiencing rising snow levels throughout the day. In the Balearic Islands, residents can expect heavy rain, storms, hail, and wind gusts ranging from 70 to 90 kilometers per hour, with peaks of up to 120km/h in more elevated regions. Conversely, the Canary Islands are largely spared from the worst weather, seeing only light rains and moderate winds in the northern areas. The weather-related disruption is compounded by the separate impacts of Storm Joseph, which has led to the suspension of classes in 77 municipalities across Almería, Málaga, and Cádiz. Amid ongoing yellow alerts issued by the State Meteorological Agency, residents are urged to remain vigilant and adhere to safety precautions as the storm continues its intense course. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2