Spain is facing one of the most severe weather days of the winter as Storm Kristen sweeps across the Iberian Peninsula. The Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) has issued warnings for strong winds, heavy rain, snow and dangerous sea conditions across almost the entire country. Only the Canary Islands remain unaffected.
According to Aemet, Spain is under a strong Atlantic circulation, with successive weather fronts bringing widespread rainfall, very strong winds and significant snowfall in inland and mountainous areas. Wind gusts may exceed 100 km/h in exposed locations.
Spain Press Editorial Team
Snowfall disrupts traffic in Madrid
Snow has reached Madrid, causing serious disruption to traffic, particularly in the Sierra de Madrid and the northern districts of the capital.
Several major roads have been closed:
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A-6 motorway: closed between Aravaca and Guadarrama
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A-1 motorway: vehicles stranded near Venturada
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Regional bus services suspended in several areas
Emergency services at 112 Madrid report numerous calls from motorists trapped on snow-covered roads, including lorries blocking lanes and drivers suffering from cold. No serious incidents have been reported so far. Forecasters expect snow to gradually turn into rain around midday.
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🤳Algunas de las imágenes que nos deja el temporal hasta ahora en la región. pic.twitter.com/W9BFJhh4fG
— Onda Cero Extremadura (@OCR_Extremadura) January 28, 2026
Extremadura activates emergency response plan
The autonomous region of Extremadura has activated level 1 of its Territorial Civil Protection Plan. Authorities have sent mass ES-Alert warnings to mobile phones in several areas, including the Meseta Cacereña and Villuercas-Montánchez, due to expected wind gusts of up to 130 km/h.
Residents have been urged to avoid all non-essential travel. Classes have been suspended throughout the region.
Schools closed in parts of Andalusia
In Andalucía, classes have been cancelled in 77 municipalities across the provinces of Almería, Málaga and Cádiz as a precautionary measure.
The City Council of Seville has raised its Municipal Emergency Plan to Local Emergency Level 1 and has called on residents to follow instructions issued by official sources only.
#Almería, detalles: el temporal en primera línea.
Brutal. Desde El Palmeral del Zapillo. El viento y la lluvia pegan con fuerza en la franja litoral. Paseo marítimo Carmen de Burgos.
Vídeo de M.V.M. @AEMET_Esp @AEMET_Andalucia @ElTiempoes @ElTiempo_tve @tiempobrasero @aytoalm pic.twitter.com/2gtzq6RkwB— JOSÉ M ROMÁN (@JMROMANGARCIA) January 28, 2026
Snow causes disruption in Castile and León
In Ávila, snowfall since the early hours of the morning has left several centimetres of snow on streets, complicating access to schools, medical centres and main roads.
Traffic problems have also been reported in parts of the province of Valladolid, particularly in rural and high-altitude areas, where authorities are advising drivers to travel only if strictly necessary and to proceed with extreme caution.
🌳💨 Varios árboles caídos por el temporal en el barrio de Triana, Sevilla.
Las autoridades trabajan en la limpieza y restablecimiento de la normalidad en la zona.
🔗 https://t.co/hyDXRHCIoh#Sevilla #ElTiempo pic.twitter.com/0XhpM5rxle
— ABC de Sevilla (@abcdesevilla) January 28, 2026
Authorities warn of dangerous conditions
Meteorological services and emergency authorities agree that conditions remain dangerous throughout the day. The combination of snow, heavy rain, strong winds and low temperatures poses a significant risk, particularly for road users.
The advice from authorities is clear: avoid unnecessary journeys, take extra care when travelling, and stay informed through official channels only.
