Spain is grappling with a sudden weather breakdown at the turn of February and March. Following a period of unusually high temperatures, the state meteorological agency AEMET has issued warnings for frost and precipitation. A polar front is bringing cooling across the entire country, particularly affecting the northern regions and Castile and León. The change in weather puts an end to the premature spring, forcing a return to winter clothing and caution on the roads.
Drastic Temperature Drop
The end of the heatwave in favor of a polar front, which lowered temperatures by several degrees across the country.
Snow Warnings
Mountainous regions of Castile and León and the northern part of Spain expect snowfall above 1,000 meters.
Calima Phenomenon in the East
Regions of Valencia and Murcia report Saharan dust reducing visibility and worsening air quality.
Spain is experiencing a rapid transition from almost summer-like weather to typical winter conditions. The state meteorological agency AEMET has confirmed a radical change in air mass circulation that began on the last weekend of February. An atmospheric front of polar origin has brought not only a significant drop in temperatures but also intense rainfall, and in higher mountain areas — snow. The most affected by the anomalies are the northern regions, including Galicia, the Basque Country, and the autonomous community of Castile and León. Meanwhile, the southern and eastern coasts, including Valencia and Murcia, are dealing with cloud cover and the phenomenon of calima, which, combined with the incoming precipitation, could result in so-called blood rains. This situation is all the more surprising given that February was record-warm in many parts of the Iberian Peninsula. However, experts from AEMET emphasize that while days with extreme cold are becoming rarer, such violent weather fluctuations fit into the observed trend of climate instability in southern Europe seen for years. Historically, March in Spain is a transitional month, known for the proverb "marzo ventoso y abril lluvioso" (windy March and rainy April), but such drastic temperature drops following a heatwave are occurring more frequently due to changes in the jet stream. Forecasts for the first decade of March leave no doubt — winter has not yet had its final say. Minimum temperatures in the interior of the country are expected to drop below zero, posing a threat to awakening vegetation and early agricultural crops. Authorities are urging particular caution for drivers traveling in mountainous areas, where icing is expected. Although statistically the number of frosty days in Spain is decreasing, the current weather incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of March weather, which can surprise with frost even in traditionally warmest regions. „El invierno se resiste a morir: estas son las zonas de España más afectadas por el mal tiempo este domingo” (Winter refuses to die: these are the areas of Spain most affected by bad weather this Sunday) — AEMET
Perspektywy mediów: Liberal media place greater emphasis on linking the sudden cooling to global warming and long-term climate change. Conservative media focus on current disruptions to agriculture and weather warnings without the broader climate context.