As Spain gears up for the Easter weekend, many are wondering what the weather will hold after last year’s washout. Unfortunately, the forecast remains uncertain due to a new cold front moving in. While Storm Olivier has passed, a polar mass has triggered a mid-April winter storm, bringing showers and thunderstorms across much of the country, along with snow in the northern and southeastern regions above 900 meters.
According to the Spanish official meteorological agency, AEMET, the situation will remain unstable. Cities like Ávila, Madrid, Toledo, and Salamanca have registered highs that haven’t exceeded 12-14°C. On Wednesday, April 16, heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected in the northeast and Balearic Islands, with snow anticipated in the mountains of northern and southeastern Spain.
Meteorologist Mar Gómez from eltiempo.es has warned of chilly air flowing from the snow-capped mountains, with nighttime lows possibly dipping to 0°C on Wednesday and Thursday in higher areas. Snow accumulation could reach up to 37 cm in the Aragonese Pyrenees, 29 cm in the Catalan Pyrenees, 20 cm in the Cantabrian Mountains, 23 cm in the Guadarrama Mountains, and over 10 cm in Sierra Nevada.
Fortunately, a respite is expected on Maundy Thursday, April 17, which is predicted to be the week’s most stable day. Heavy rain is expected only in Galicia, providing some relief for those planning to walk the Camino. Temperatures are set to rise, reaching 26°C in Valencia and Alicante, 25°C in Murcia, and 20-22°C in Seville, Barcelona, and Cádiz.
However, Good Friday, April 18, will bring a new front from the northwest, which may deliver heavy rain to western Galicia, spreading across the peninsula but sparing the Mediterranean regions. Saturday, April 19, may see widespread showers and thunderstorms, with snow returning to major mountain ranges. Up to 120 liters per square meter of rain could fall in A Coruña, 100 in Pontevedra, and 50-70 in Jaén, the Pyrenees, and Segovia.
Showers may persist into Sunday, April 20, but temperatures could trend upward by Monday, April 21. For those planning to enjoy the Semana Santa processions, it’s advisable to bring an umbrella just in case.
In the midst of this weather uncertainty, the Spanish tourism sector is experiencing a surge in bookings for this year's Holy Week. Hoteliers across the country are reporting satisfaction with the occupancy rates achieved, with many regions expected to exceed last year’s record-breaking figures.
Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, has estimated that approximately 15 million tourists will visit Spain in March and April, a 9% increase compared to last year. Additionally, tourist spending is projected to rise by 13%, reaching a total of 20 billion euros. The optimism in the sector is palpable, especially considering that hotel revenues have already risen by 3.4% compared to 2024.
Data from the Cehat hotel confederation indicates that Easter bookings received a boost from the first rays of April sunshine. The average price of a hotel room in Spain was reported at 112.50 euros per night in February, which is a 5% increase from the previous year. Despite rising inflation, the travel industry is thriving, with a notable increase in interest from long-haul markets, particularly from Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the United States.
Notably, the U.S. has seen a 27% increase in online searches for Spain as a destination, which has made business owners optimistic that external factors, such as Donald Trump's tariff policy, will not adversely affect tourism.
As for spending, Cetelem data suggests that each Spaniard is expected to spend an average of 476 euros this holiday, which is 24% more than during Easter 2024. Interestingly, consumers aged 60 to 64 are projected to spend the most, with an average budget of 624 euros.
Hoteliers remain hopeful for a positive Holy Week, although the final outcome will depend significantly on weather conditions. According to forecasts by the Spanish hotel and catering employers' association, 37% of hotel and catering business owners anticipate that turnover will increase by up to 10% compared to 2024. With Easter falling later than usual this year, it coincides with the start of the high season in Spain, contributing to a peak in hiring.
Between March and April, more than 180,000 people are expected to be hired in the hospitality sector, further reflecting the industry's recovery and growth. As Spaniards and tourists alike prepare for the Easter festivities, the interplay between weather conditions and tourism trends will be closely watched.
