Spain Faces Severe Winter Storm Ingrid With Intense Snow, Winds, and Maritime Hazards
Storm Ingrid triggers red and orange alerts in Spain for severe snow, high winds, and hazardous maritime conditions, especially in Galicia and northern regions.
- • Storm Ingrid brings intense winter weather including heavy rain, snow, and strong winds across Spain starting January 23, 2026.
- • Galicia and the Cantabrian coast face the harshest conditions with red alerts for waves reaching up to 9 meters and winds over 100 km/h.
- • Snow is expected at elevations as low as 300-500 meters with accumulations exceeding 20 cm in some areas, especially in Galicia and the northern plateau.
- • Multiple regions are under orange and yellow alerts for snowfall, wind, and maritime storms due to the polar air mass and Atlantic fronts associated with Ingrid.
Key details
Spain is bracing for a significant winter weather event as Storm Ingrid impacts the country starting January 23, 2026. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued multiple alerts across various regions, warning of intense storms, heavy snowfall, strong winds, and dangerous sea conditions caused by a polar air mass accompanying the storm.
Galicia is the hardest hit area with a red alert for extraordinary maritime danger due to waves expected to reach up to 9 meters, accompanied by winds exceeding 100 km/h. The Cantabrian Sea and northern coasts will also experience severe maritime conditions, with waves between 5 and 8 meters. Aemet predicts the storm will bring strong rainfall, thunderstorms, and hail predominantly over Galicia, Castilla y León, and western Andalusia.
Snowfall levels will drop sharply, with snow expected as low as 300 to 500 meters elevation in some parts of the northwest, potentially accumulating over 20 centimeters in isolated areas. Heavy snow is forecasted across mountainous regions and the northern plateau, particularly in Galicia. Strong winds of up to 100 km/h may affect various locations including the Cantabrian mountain range and the Strait of Cádiz.
Other regions such as Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country, Aragón, Madrid, and Andalusia face orange and yellow alerts for different weather hazards including snow, wind, and high waves. The most intense weather is expected on January 23 and 24, with precipitation continuing into Sunday as temperatures gradually rise and snow levels climb to about 1000 meters.
Authorities emphasize ongoing uncertainty about which areas will suffer the heaviest snowfall but caution that the cold and unstable conditions may persist until the storm's weakening. Residents and travelers are advised to stay alert to weather updates and heed local warnings to stay safe during this extreme winter episode.
With waves surpassing 8 to 9 meters in Galicia and fierce winds that could topple trees and disrupt transport, Storm Ingrid represents a major winter storm impacting wide swathes of northern and western Spain this weekend.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Snow accumulation predictions
Sources report different expected snow accumulations in Galicia.
abc.es
"up to 5 centimeters of snow expected in 24 hours at low altitudes."
informacion.es
"accumulations predicted to exceed 20 centimeters in certain areas."
Why this matters: One source predicts up to 5 centimeters of snow in 24 hours, while the other suggests accumulations exceeding 20 centimeters in certain areas. This discrepancy significantly affects the understanding of the storm's potential impact on snowfall.