Winter has settled into Spain with unusually mild snowfall and persistent icy conditions spreading across the landscape. Forecasts suggest this pattern may linger into the coming days, with some experts even predicting a continuation into March.
Meteorologist Irene Santa, speaking to eltiempo.es, explains that a weak northward air flow, guided by the Atlantic anticyclone, keeps the cold air mass traveling a long route over the ocean. When this air arrives fully laden with moisture, it fuels the atypical snow events seen late in the season.
Another contributor to the current rain and snow scenario is the isolated high level depression, known as DANA, which enhances precipitation chances.
Frosts have been severe across much of Spain this morning, with sub-zero temperatures recording across many inland provinces. This is the first phase of a sequence of very cold days expected to extend beyond the current weekend into early March.
Minimum temperatures for this Friday are forecast by eltiempo.es.
Forecast updates indicate that nighttime frosts will resume across large areas of the country this Saturday and Sunday, with values dropping below minus five degrees Celsius in many regions. Mountainous zones and river basins are likely to experience even lower temperatures.
“Next Week, Abnormally Cold”
The calendar currently shows no sign of a spring shift. Experts warn that temperatures could fall further on Monday the 27th, with the eastern regions potentially experiencing readings about ten degrees below average.
The approaching week could be abnormally cold across the nation. While a full-scale cold wave remains unlikely, national conditions may meet technical criteria for such a event.
Early Saturday, the 25th, precipitation is expected in the western and southern parts of the peninsula, with snow possible on higher elevations of Andalusia and the southern areas of Castilla-La Mancha. Snow levels may form around 900 to 1,200 meters.
By Sunday the 26th, snowfall could affect the Cantabrian mountains and extend to the Pyrenees, the Iberian ranges, and the interior sections of the Basque Country.
Notes and updates are provided by the national weather service as part of ongoing cold air warnings.
References: ElTiempo weather coverage on the current cold spell in Spain can be consulted for context and ongoing updates.
This article retains a clear focus on the meteorological situation and public safety considerations for residents and travelers across Spain during this period of unusually cold and snowy conditions.