Spain is facing significant weather disruptions this weekend, with 12 autonomous communities under yellow weather alerts for snow, rain, and coastal phenomena. According to the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET), these alerts come as temperatures plunge to winter levels across the country, marking the first weekend of March with notable atmospheric instability.
Beginning Sunday, March 2, the weather is set to change radically, especially affecting regions like Castilla y León, where snow accumulation is anticipated to be significant. AEMET predicts snow levels could descend as low as 500 to 700 meters, intensifying concerns about travel and road conditions.
Among the most affected areas, Castilla y León is expected to face heavy snowfall, with local forecasts indicating accumulations of between 2 and 15 centimeters depending on the locality. Notably, cities such as Ávila, Burgos, and Salamanca will experience the greatest impacts, with forecasts calling for snow levels to reach up to 15 centimeters at elevations as low as 800 to 900 meters, before rising to 1,200 to 1,400 meters by afternoon.
Residents of the Comunidad Valenciana and Aragón should also prepare for severe weather, as both regions are battling heavy rain and potential flooding. AEMET warns of possible precipitation accumulations ranging from 20 to 60 liters of rain, particularly affecting coastal areas of Valencia and Alicante.
For the Canary Islands, the situation is similarly severe, with heavy rains on the horizon. AEMET has issued warnings for rainfall accumulations expected to exceed 60 liters over 12 hours, with alerts marking specific vulnerabilities particularly for areas with less infrastructure to cope with deluges.
Specific coastal alerts for strong winds have also been issued across several regions, including Andalucía, Galicia, and the Balearic Islands. Wind speeds could reach 50 to 60 kilometers per hour, which may exacerbate issues related to flooding and road safety.
"La AEMET ha lanzado una serie de alertas que nos sumergen en lo peor de unos cambios en los que todo puede ser posible..." warns AEMET, underscoring the unpredictability and rapid changes associated with the recent weather system.
While the dramatic turn to winter conditions disrupts regular activities, AEMET emphasizes the importance of taking precautionary measures, especially for those planning to travel. The agency has also activated their winter mobility plan to address potential traffic disruptions due to heavy snowfall, particularly on major roads across Castilla y León and regions such as the Sierra Central.
Aside from the snow alerts, AEMET warns of weak frosts primarily affecting mountainous areas, which could compound visibility and travel conditions. Up until now, the winter has transitioned gently, but the series of weather alerts indicates the potential severity of this meteorological episode.
Adding to the complexity, various parts of the Comunidad Valenciana and surrounding areas could experience localized torrents of rain. Emergency services have already reported incidents this weekend, particularly noting rescues of individuals trapped by floodwater.
To put the unpredictability of this weather phenomenon in perspective, comparisons are made to earlier winter storms. Although this upcoming system may not reach the extremes seen during the previous winter storms, AEMET advises everyone to remain vigilant and prepared for unexpected shifts.
AEMET's forecast indicates the potential continuation of these disruptive weather patterns as moisture-laden air from the Sahara meets with cold fronts moving through the Iberian Peninsula. This interaction is likely to create periods of heightened instability.
Over the next few days, the weather forecast suggests continued precipitation, with heightened rain expectations particularly across regions such as southwestern Spain, central areas like Castilla-La Mancha, and up through the eastern coast, where rainfall will be integral to maintaining soil moisture.
Returning to the predictions, this coming week signals the possibility of fluctuated temperatures, with some locations experiencing warmer conditions than typical for early March, leading some meteorologists to categorize it as anomalous behavior for this time of year.
Looking forward, AEMET's alerts are expected to remain active through the week. Residents and travelers alike are urged to stay updated with weather forecasts regularly and adhere to local advisories, particularly before embarking on road trips.
With weather conditions casting shadows over planned activities, it is prudent for Spanish residents to take AEMET’s warnings seriously. People are advised to exercise caution, maintain preparedness for variable weather changes, and follow developments closely as another wintry week looms.