Winter Arrives in Spain with Early Snowfall and Polar Air Bringing Cold Weather Alerts
Spain experiences early winter snowfall and sharp temperature drops as a polar air mass and Atlantic storm trigger widespread weather alerts.
- • Atlantic storm entering through Galicia causes snow and rain across Spain.
- • AEMET issues orange alerts for snow in 8 communities and yellow alerts in 9 regions.
- • Snow accumulations expected between 2 to more than 10 cm, with snow line dropping to 700-800 meters in the northwest.
- • Temperatures fall below 0ºC in 14 provinces, with strong winds especially in southern areas and Balearic Islands.
Key details
On December 21, 2025, the first day of astronomical winter in Spain, the country has been impacted by a significant weather event characterized by the arrival of a cold polar air mass and an Atlantic storm entering through Galicia. This has prompted the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) to issue multiple weather alerts due to widespread snow, rain, and temperature drops across several regions.
The Atlantic storm has led to orange alerts for snowfall in eight autonomous communities and yellow alerts in nine regions, including Andalusia, Aragón, Cantabria, Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, Galicia, the Community of Madrid, Navarra, and La Rioja. Snow accumulations are expected to range between 2 to over 10 centimeters, with the northwest, especially Galicia, facing the heaviest snowfall. Snow levels vary, starting from 1,000 to 1,200 meters generally but dropping to 700-800 meters in the northwest.
Temperature drops are notable, particularly in the northern half of the Peninsula where 14 provincial capitals are forecasted to experience minimal temperatures at or below 0ºC. Some areas such as Soria could see daytime highs below 5ºC. Frost and fog are also anticipated in mountainous and northeastern depression areas.
The storm is moving towards the Mediterranean, where rain will dominate, while heavy rains and strong winds are expected in the Balearic Islands, the southern coast, and parts of Andalusia. In the Canary Islands, unsettled weather with rain showers is predicted, mainly in northern zones.
These weather conditions mark the onset of a wintry period with significant snowfall and cold temperatures across much of Spain, signaling an active and potentially challenging start to the winter season. AEMET continues to monitor and update alerts as the polar air mass influences the climate over the coming days.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
