Spain is facing one of the harshest winter episodes of the season, with snowfall, freezing temperatures, strong winds and rough seas prompting weather alerts in 14 autonomous regions on Wednesday, 7 January. According to the national meteorological agency AEMET, the country is experiencing an intense and widespread cold spell, unusual in both scope and severity.
Spa.in Press
The most critical situation is reported in the Parameras de Molina, in the province of Guadalajara, where temperatures are forecast to fall to -14°C, triggering a red alert for “extraordinary danger”. Even lower readings were recorded in Sierra Nevada, where thermometers dropped to -17.3°C, the lowest temperature registered in Spain during this episode.
Snow at low altitudes
Snow warnings are in place across parts of Aragón, Castile and León, Catalonia, Navarre and the Basque Country. In several areas, snowfall has reached unusually low elevations, in some cases below 500 metres. Significant accumulations are expected in the Pyrenees and along the Cantabrian mountain range.
Frost, wind and hazardous seas
Beyond snowfall, persistent overnight frost poses a major risk. Cold-weather warnings extend across large areas of Andalusia, the central plateau, the Balearic Islands and sections of the Mediterranean coast. Strong winds are also affecting parts of north-eastern Spain and the Canary Islands, compounding the impact of the cold snap.
Coastal regions are likewise on alert, with rough seas forecast along stretches of the Cantabrian coast, the Mediterranean, and several island territories.
Disruption on roads and transport
The wintry conditions are already disrupting transport. Dozens of roads have been closed or restricted, particularly in northern Spain, while heavy goods vehicles have been temporarily banned from key routes in affected areas.
Outlook: slight easing, lingering risks
Forecasters expect the snow line to rise gradually during the day, alongside a modest increase in daytime temperatures. However, authorities warn against complacency: ice, frost and localised snowfall are likely to persist, keeping much of the country on high alert.
For now, Spain remains firmly in winter’s grip — a reminder that, even in the south of Europe, January can still deliver truly severe weather.
