Storm Juan is already making its presence felt, according to Spain’s meteorological service. Heavy rain, wind, and snow are forecast to affect the country this Friday and Saturday, with the storm likely stronger than the previous one, Irene, as noted by Mario Picazo on eltiempo.es.
All eyes are fixed on this new system as it sweeps across the peninsula from west to east, bringing notable snowfall to the northern interior and continued rainfall through the early hours of Saturday night, the meteorologist explains.
The storm has already entered the peninsula from the southwest and will intensify as it travels, bringing increasingly strong winds and rough seas along many coastal regions. Expect significant rainfall in the southwest and also in central and northeastern areas as the disturbance progresses.
From today through Saturday, wind is set to be a major factor in addition to rain. The coastlines of Almería and Granada, along with much of the Mediterranean coast, will experience high winds and large waves, with gusts potentially reaching up to 70 kilometers per hour, according to forecasts cited by eltiempo.es.
In addition to rain and wind, the temperature drop will become noticeable as the storm deepens. The influx of cold air will push snow levels down to around 700 to 800 meters on Friday in the central and northern regions of the peninsula. Mario Picazo notes that the most significant accumulations are expected from 700 meters in the Iberian system to roughly 20 centimeters in the Iberian zone near Zaragoza, with 700 to 900 meter zones seeing earlier snowfall in the central areas, according to eltiempo.es.
Light snowfall is anticipated from about 900 meters above sea level in the northern plateau, though it should ease by the end of Saturday and give way to a more stable, sunny, yet exceptionally cold Sunday. In fact, Picazo warns that winter temperatures will feel harsh inside the peninsula as the storm passes.
Temperatures up to -15°C in some locations
Marta Almarcha, another meteorologist for eltiempo.es, provides further detail on the upcoming cold. She notes that the minimum temperatures will fall on Friday as the described conditions come together and again on Saturday across a wide swath of the peninsula. Frosts are expected to become more widespread and severe in many areas, according to the forecasts cited by eltiempo.es.
Wednesday’s forecast suggests even colder nights ahead. The coast around A Coruña could see temperatures dip below -2°C, while several inland areas may remain below -6°C in provinces such as León, Palencia, Burgos, Segovia, Ávila, and the southern stretches of Salamanca, as well as the mountain regions of Guadalajara. The Pyrenees are projected to experience even colder readings, potentially dropping to -8°C or -10°C, with an orange alert in parts of Zaragoza and the Soria province. In select spots, readings could fall under -10°C and possibly approach -15°C. Across the rest of the country, temperatures are expected to stay low, occasionally flirting with 0°C along the northern coast.
That pattern may persist into the weekend, though some relief could arrive as Sunday brings more stable and clearer skies while the cold remains intense in many locales. The overall impression is a prolonged cold snap, with the storm Juan leaving a clear impression of chilly air across much of the peninsula and in the surrounding regions.
Notes for readers: details may change with new observations, and residents should stay updated on local advisories and road conditions as the situation evolves. The information provided is drawn from the latest forecasts and meteorological briefings reported by eltiempo.es and its experts, including Mario Picazo and Marta Almarcha, who offer ongoing analysis during this event.
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