After a long wait for genuine cold to sweep across much of Spain, low temperatures and frosts are finally arriving. Meteorologists and AEMET have both confirmed a polar air mass that will push thermometers downward rapidly and noticeably.
According to Marta Almarcha of eltiempo.es, temperatures are set to fall by 10°C to 12°C within 24 hours as this cold polar air mass arrives. She notes that such air typically brings cold conditions but not significant precipitation.
On Monday, the peninsula will already feel the chill, especially in the north, with the sharpest drops expected on Tuesday. The polar air mass will then sweep across the entire peninsula and extend to the Balearic Islands. The Mediterranean coastlines and the Canary Islands will experience the temperature decline a bit later.
Overall, there could be a day-to-day drop of up to 10°C in places such as Guadalajara, Cuenca, Albacete, Ciudad Real, Teruel, the interior of the Valencian Community, the Region of Murcia, Almería, Granada, and Málaga. The decrease may reach 12°C around the Central and Iberian systems and in the Pyrenees, Almarcha adds.
The forecast indicates that conditions will remain chilly into Wednesday, with thermometers possibly dipping a bit further.
The expert also clarifies that this is not a “cold wave.” For such an event to be declared, at least three consecutive days must show 10% of stations recording minimums below a historical threshold.
AEMET also notes that the week will be very cold, especially in the mountainous ranges, with frost forming in the early morning hours.
Estimates suggest that Friday morning could be the coldest of the week. Minimum temperatures across much of the interior peninsula are expected to fall below 5°C, with Madrid possibly reaching 0°C and some interior locations recording sub-zero values.