Madrid is bracing for unexpected winter weather as the arrival of snow is forecast for the city this weekend. According to the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET), there is significant potential for snowfall starting overnight on Sunday, March 2, with early reports indicating about 40% chance for the city itself, which is unusual for this time of year.
On Saturday, meteorological conditions will begin to shift as light rain showers are expected across the region, potentially transitioning to snow as the temperature drops. The initial snowfall is anticipated to begin at around 1,800 meters but is likely to descend throughout the day to levels as low as 600 meters by Sunday morning. This means some areas near Madrid may see snowflakes by early next week.
The forecast predicts maximum daytime temperatures decreasing markedly, creating conditions conducive for snowfall, particularly from late Saturday through the early hours of Sunday. AEMET warns, "Cloudy skies and the possibility of scattered rainfall are expected, especially over the Sierra Norte area, which will extend to the rest of the region by evening."
This weekend's conditions have been prompted by the arrival of a persistent Atlantic storm system, which is set to hit not just Madrid but also other regions within Spain, including Castilla y León and Aragón, where snow accumulation is expected to reach between 15 to 40 centimeters at higher altitudes.
Through the night from Saturday to Sunday, temperatures are predicted to fall significantly, reaching as low as 2 to 3 degrees Celsius across the city. Such temperatures could create ideal circumstances for light snow flurries, particularly targeting northern districts like Fuencarral and El Pardo, which are likely to dip to or below freezing.
The last time Madrid experienced noteworthy snow this late was on March 23, 2007, when locals woke to find their streets dusted with white. More recently, the winter storm Filomena delivered severe snowfall, yet this event is anticipated to follow a different pattern. Filomena resulted from several unique weather conditions colliding, providing significant snowfall over many hours, which is not expected to repeat with this current system.
Though the anticipation of snow has the potential to excite residents, AEMET's forecasts suggest the major impact will be on the mountain ranges surrounding Madrid rather than within the urban core. Predicted snowfalls around the Sierra de Guadarrama are likely to be substantial, with warnings indicating accumulations up to 5 centimeters could be expected over 1,300 to 1,400-meter elevations.
AEMET distributed alerts for snowfall across Spain, advising residents to prepare for adverse conditions. Other areas across the country are expected to experience similar patterns of rain and snow, leading to widespread advisories. The combination of this system moving through the country, along with cool, moist air creating instability is producing the conditions for precipitation.
By Sunday morning, the snow could fall intermittently as the weather pressure eases. The meteorological bulletin will continue to detail the changing weather patterns, with AEMET alerting citizens to conditions of instability prevalent across many regions.
Overall, as March opens, Madrid will have its eye on the sky. Whether the capital will see significant snow accumulation remains uncertain, but all indications currently suggest residents will need to prepare for the reality of lower temperatures and increased precipitation. For Madrid, where snowfall is usually rare during early spring, this coming weekend could prove to be quite remarkable.