Lorraine Williamson
Storm Kristin continues to unleash severe winter weather across Spain on Wednesday, 28 January, leaving the country under extensive weather warnings and forcing road closures, school shutdowns, and major travel disruption.
The storm has now swept in from Portugal and is affecting almost all autonomous communities with snow, torrential rain, strong winds, and rough seas.
Snow and travel chaos in central and northern Spain
After moving inland from Portugal, Kristin has brought heavy snow to the Madrid region and much of central Spain. Many roads, including key highways, have been left hazardous, with more than 170 routes affected by snow, ice, and fallen debris, according to traffic reports.
In Madrid, snow has covered streets and suburbs, from Alcobendas to parts of the capital itself, contributing to gridlocked traffic and disrupted public transport. Furthermore, train lines have seen delays and cancellations, and schools in affected areas have closed or limited services.
Southern Spain hit hard by wind and rain
Across Andalucia, red and orange alerts remain in effect for heavy rain and hurricane-force winds, particularly in Almería, where gusts around 130 km/h have been recorded. Consequently, authorities have suspended classes in dozens of municipalities and closed parks and outdoor facilities as a precaution.
Tragically, a strong gust brought down a palm tree in Torremolinos (Málaga province), killing a woman. This is one of several storm-related casualties linked to high winds.
Widespread closures and emergency response
The storm has prompted school closures in Extremadura, and transport systems continue to be impacted well beyond Andalucia and Madrid. Roads remain dangerous in provinces such as Ávila, Segovia, and Cáceres, with restrictions still in place on some major routes even after partial reopenings.
In Cáceres city, powerful gusts have caused material damage — uprooting trees, dislodging façades, and closing parks for safety. Local authorities have mobilised emergency teams to help residents and respond to dozens of reported incidents.
Strong winds reach the east and coast
The Valencia region is also feeling Kristin’s impact: in Alicante, wind speeds have reached over 120 km/h, leading to the closure of historical sites, parks and beaches, as well as precautionary shutdowns of outdoor activities.
Coastal warnings remain in place along both the Atlantic and Mediterranean, with high seas and storm surges adding to the hazard profile for exposed areas.
Instability to continue
Although forecasts suggest Storm Kristin will begin to weaken by Thursday, the overall weather pattern over Spain remains unstable. New Atlantic depressions are predicted to enter from the west in the coming days, keeping rain, wind, and snow on the agenda across large parts of the country.
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