Spain is bracing for significant weather changes as winter sets in, with the polar jet stream and the storm Enol poised to affect conditions across the country. According to meteorologist Roberto Brasero and the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET), the nation is already experiencing shifts due to these atmospheric developments, particularly as it prepares for the traditionally festive period around Christmas.
The transition to winter was marked on Saturday morning with the departure of autumn, and Brasero confirmed, "We are sensing the winter's arrival with frosts already linked to the winter anticyclone. This signals the full swing of the season." Reports indicate this will be accompanied by atypical weather patterns, including the advent of DANA (a cold drop) headed for Spain this weekend, causing instability particularly noticeable in the Canary Islands, which saw rainfall and even some snow on higher peaks.
Tension is palpable as forecasters predict hefty precipitation alongside strong storms, especially impacting higher terrain regions. "A day full of heavy rain and potentially severe thunderstorms is on the horizon, especially for the northern islands, with snowfall expected above 2,000 meters," said Brasero. Looking forward, predictions suggest a significant turnaround is expected beginning Monday, with the retreat of DANA leading to increasing conditions of stability for much of the archipelago and the broader Spanish territory.
From December 23 to 29, pre-Christmas forecasts spare much of Spain from severe weather disturbances, as highlighted by AEMET's reliance on Brasero's outlook. Instead, typical winter temperatures should dominate, with nighttime frost likely manifesting across the interior. While regions like northern Spain, Mediterranean coasts, and certain islands may still experience precipitation and occasional snow, the overall expectation is for calmer weather leading up to and during Christmas.
This Sunday was predicted to be stable, though strong winds and precipitation are anticipated due to the influence of Storm Enol coming from the North Sea. Rapid coastal winds are expected to reach around 60 km/h along parts of the Ebro valley and potentially catastrophic gusts of up to 120 km/h especially within northeastern Spain. Such conditions will stir up significant ocean waves, with sea heights expected to reach 7 meters along the Cantabrian coast and around 3 meters near the Balearic Islands.
Movement of strong northern winds will also bring snow at altitudes starting from 1,200 meters, with even lower snow levels (approximately 800 meters) expected around the Pyrenees. This Sunday marked the start of temperatures dipping across the country, with conditions noted to be milder than the night before. Weather patterns indicate the warmth of the prior days will soon give way to predominantly winter-like conditions, even allowing parts of southeastern Spain to see daytime temperatures peak at 20°C.
On Christmas Eve, Spain will fall under the influence of the returning Atlantic anticyclone centered around Galicia, promising widespread stability and mainly clear skies for most of the territory—yet enacting the possibility of isolated showers on some islands. This stability, conversely, commands caution, as potential brewing elevated winds will likely create hazardous conditions going forward, especially along coastal areas and elevated regions.
Christmas Day will likely resemble Christmas Eve, with remaining localized precipitation expected on the Balearic Islands and slight drizzles across the eastern Cantabrian coast. The expectation for misty conditions will persist especially across the interior regions, with cloud-free days secured for the remainder of the country.
Weather experts forecast, "For the last days of December, conditions are likely to remain stable, albeit with residual atmospheric instability over the Mediterranean, which could provoke occasional rainstorms. Nighttime frosts are expected to continue, yet temperatures will hover around seasonal norms for this time of year." Collectively, the assessment of these scientists is one of cautious optimism, poised to witness how these weather patterns will evolve through the holiday period, affecting both daily lives and holiday celebrations for all of Spain.
