Storm Kristin Brings Severe Weather, Fatalities, and Widespread Disruptions Across Spain
Storm Kristin has unleashed intense weather across Spain, causing fatalities, evacuations, and transport shutdowns amid widespread alerts.
- • Storm Kristin causes nationwide weather alerts including wind, snow, and flooding.
- • A woman dies in Málaga due to storm-related fallen palm tree.
- • 77 municipalities suspend classes amid hazardous conditions in Andalusia.
- • Extremadura under red alert with winds up to 130 km/h and flood emergency activated.
- • Numerous roads closed; heavy snowfall affects Madrid though less severe than the 2021 Filomena storm.
Key details
On January 28, 2026, the storm Kristin swept across Spain, causing a series of severe weather conditions that led to fatalities, evacuations, and significant transportation disruptions. Entire Spain remains on alert due to Kristin's impact, which spans torrential rain, heavy snowfall, strong winds, and coastal disturbances.
The storm caused the tragic death of a woman in Málaga after a palm tree fell on her, highlighting the dangerous conditions in Andalusia. Consequently, 77 municipalities in Almería, Málaga, and Cádiz suspended classes as precautionary measures. About 250 residents were evacuated in San Roque, Cádiz, due to the rising waters of the Guadarranque River, and Andalusia reported over 800 incidents linked to the storm by midnight.
Extremadura faced intense winds reaching up to 130 km/h, especially in the Meseta cacereña, Villuercas, and Montánchez, prompting a red alert. Heavy rainfall also posed flood risks, leading the Junta de Extremadura to activate its emergency flood risk phase. The Community of Madrid experienced copious snowfall at altitudes between 600-700 meters, although the accumulation was not expected to match the historic Filomena storm of January 2021. Several roads have been affected nationwide, with 67 primary roads marked by ice or snow and 23 secondary roads blocked by flooding. Authorities reported seven main roads and more than twenty secondary routes closed, while trucks are banned from some critical highways such as the A-6 and AP-6. Chains are mandatory on specific mountain roads in Madrid.
The Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) detailed that winds would intensify, surpassing 90 km/h in much of the south and northern plateau, with gusts possibly exceeding 120 km/h in the extreme southeast. The storm also affected marine conditions severely, particularly along the Mediterranean coast. Wednesday was identified as the peak day of difficulty before conditions gradually improve from Thursday onward.
These weather events have caused widespread disruption across Spain, with emergency services and government agencies on high alert to mitigate damage and ensure public safety.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (3)
Source comparison
Number of affected roads
Sources report different numbers of roads affected by the storm.
elmundo.es
"90 roads impacted by snow and rain as of early Wednesday."
okdiario.com
"Currently, the Directorate General of Traffic reports that seven main roads and over twenty secondary roads are affected."
Why this matters: One source states that 90 roads are impacted, while another claims 67 roads are suffering from ice and snow. This discrepancy affects the understanding of the storm's severity and the extent of disruptions.
Wind speed estimates
Sources report different maximum wind speeds expected from the storm.
okdiario.com
"Kristin has brought winds exceeding 100 km/h."
elmundo.es
"A red alert has been issued for winds that could reach 130 km/h."
Why this matters: One source mentions winds exceeding 100 km/h while another reports winds could reach 130 km/h in certain areas. This difference is significant as it indicates varying expectations of storm intensity and potential damage.