‘Beast from the East’ in Spain?

In recent days, Spanish media have widely discussed the ‘Bestia del Este’ or ‘Beast from the East.’ But what exactly is it, and how cold will it really get?

Ultimately, it was not the ‘Beast from the East’ but an Atlantic front that affected Spain.

The weekend will begin with rain, snow, and cold temperatures, but conditions are expected to improve by Sunday. Next week, forecasters at El Tiempo predict new fronts and depressions from the Atlantic, bringing more rainfall.

What is the ‘Beast from the East’?

The term ‘Beast from the East’ is not an official meteorological term. It gained popularity in the UK in 2018 when a mass of cold air from Russia moved into Central Europe, causing heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures. The phenomenon occurs when a mass of polar air moves southwest due to an Atlantic Ocean blockade. However, this time, the conditions are not as severe as those in 2018.

Causes of the cold

The current cold spell in Spain is caused by a high-pressure system between Scandinavia and Russia. This system generates north-easterly winds that lower temperatures, but not to extreme levels. While the air originates from the east, some areas of western Russia and Scandinavia are currently experiencing temperatures 5-10°C above average.

Cold in Spain, but not extreme

Despite colder conditions, this does not qualify as an official cold wave. According to AEMET, a cold wave is declared when temperatures remain below the 5th percentile of minimum daily temperatures from January and February (1971-2000) for at least three consecutive days in at least 10% of monitoring stations.

Weather predictions for next week

On Monday, an Atlantic depression will approach the western part of the Iberian Peninsula, bringing scattered and generally light showers to many areas on the Atlantic side.

According to El Tiempo, it is still too early to determine the exact amount of precipitation. However, between Tuesday and Wednesday, rain showers could impact many regions. Temperatures will rise again, and frost is expected to decrease.