Else Beekman
La Semana Santa has already begun for many, and it’s kicking off with a striking change in the weather that could disrupt the outdoor plans of thousands of Spaniards. As the week unfolds, both locals and tourists should brace themselves for an unexpected turn: from Tuesday onwards, cold air fronts will bring snow during Semana Santa to several parts of the country.
The snow will be most noticeable in mountainous areas, although some cities may also receive a wintry surprise.
Cold air and rainfall mark the start of Semana Santa
This year’s Semana Santa weather is set to be dominated by a series of Atlantic fronts sweeping in from the west of the Iberian Peninsula. These disturbances are linked to Atlantic low-pressure systems approaching Spain via the Galician and Portuguese coasts. At times, they’ll be reinforced by colder air masses in the upper atmosphere.
According to meteorologists at eltiempo.es, the heaviest precipitation will initially be concentrated in the northwest of Spain. As the first front moves eastwards from Monday, the showers will gradually spread to other regions.
Snow possible down to 900 metres on Tuesday night
A second front will arrive on Wednesday, also moving west to east and bringing further rain, sometimes accompanied by thunderstorms. By then, colder air will have penetrated inland. In the northern half of the country, temperatures will drop sharply, and the snow line is expected to fall to around 900 metres between Tuesday and Wednesday.
This means that cities such as Soria, Segovia and Ávila could see light snowfall. Snow is also possible in León, Burgos and Palencia, especially where heavier overnight precipitation occurs.
Where will the heaviest snow fall?
According to several models, the most snowfall will be in the Pyrenees, particularly in the province of Huesca, with up to 30 centimetres of fresh snow possible. Other mountain ranges including the Cordillera Cantábrica, the Sistema Central and the Sistema Ibérico will also be affected.
Beyond these mountainous zones, higher areas of the northern Meseta may also see a temporary white coating, especially overnight on Tuesday into Wednesday.
Unsettled weather to persist into the weekend
Although Thursday may offer a brief lull with some clearer skies, predictions say the unsettled conditions will continue. Additional fronts will push in from the west on Thursday afternoon and over the weekend, increasing the likelihood of more rain.
During the afternoon, local thunderstorms may develop in inland areas. The weather service expects strong winds along the northwest and southern coasts, with gusts exceeding 60 km/h in some places. AEMET gives yellow weather warnings in several regions.
What’s the forecast for the Easter weekend?
The weekend weather will be marked by fluctuating temperatures and shifting wind directions. While Thursday and Friday will show slightly higher temperatures, another front arriving on Saturday will bring renewed cooling. Winds will first swing from west to south and eventually turn north in the Cantabrian region.
According to AEMET, the outlook for Sunday 20 and Monday 21 April remains uncertain. However, the trend points to continued rainfall across much of Spain. The north, east and Balearic Islands are particularly at risk of heavy showers, with isolated thunderstorms possible. In the northern mountains, further snow—or even hail—may fall.
In the Canary Islands, the weather will remain typically wintry. The north of the more mountainious islands will see northeast trade winds and light rain. Although the archipelago is usually less affected by Semana Santa instability, this year even the islands will not escape the turbulent conditions.
Short temperature drop
The mild spring temperatures of the past week will give way to a clear drop starting Monday. In inland regions, meteorologists expect nighttime lows of between 0 and 5°C from Tuesday to Wednesday, with daytime highs struggling to rise above 10°C.
Also read: Wet start expected for Semana Santa with storm Oliver