Spain is heading for an unusually cold Palm Sunday: at the start of Semana Santa (Holy Week), meteorologists are forecasting a significant drop in temperatures along with wintry conditions, according to several weather services and national media. This change in the weather will bring not only a chill in the air but also rain, snowfall in higher areas, and a nationwide drop in temperatures – unusual for this time of year.
Spain Press Editorial Team
by Marlon Gallego Bosbach
Wintry temperatures instead of spring warmth
On Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) on 28 March, the Spanish weather agency AEMET is forecasting daytime highs in many areas that are more reminiscent of late autumn than spring. Across much of the country, temperatures are expected to reach only 11 °C to 13 °C, and in some regions even lower. In particular, the north and east of Spain could see values well below the seasonal averages. In the early mornings, local frost and ground frost are also possible.
Rain, snow and unstable weather conditions
The temperature drop will be accompanied by precipitation, especially expected in the north, along the Pyrenees, and in the upper Ebro Valley. There, persistent rainfall and even snowfall above roughly 1,000 to 1,200 m cannot be ruled out – an unusual mix of weather for the start of spring. Showers are also possible over the weekend in the Balearic Islands.
Meteorologists attribute this weather situation to cold air masses in the upper layers of the atmosphere, which, combined with Atlantic fronts moving across Spain, are significantly lowering temperatures. Such atmospheric conditions can also locally lead to increased cloud cover, wind, and unsettled weather.
Hope for a milder start to the week
After Palm Sunday, there is hope for a calming of the weather: from Monday, temperatures are expected to rise again and gradually return to more spring-like conditions. This change should bring more pleasant conditions in many areas, although the week as a whole may still see further temperature fluctuations.
What does this mean for Spain?
For many people in Spain, the impending cold snap means adjusting their Easter plans due to the weather. Traditional Palm Sunday processions and outdoor activities could be accompanied by cooler temperatures, rain, or even occasional snowfall – a contrast to the usually mild spring conditions that typically characterise Spain at the end of March.
