Given these winter conditions, the Traffic Department has activated its Road Safety Plan and advises drivers to check road conditions before setting out. At the affected crossings, the combination of snow and ice It imposes closures, the use of chains, and extremely cautious driving.
Ports currently closed
Currently, several high and mid-mountain passes remain closed due to snow accumulation and ice patches. Safety is the priority, therefore Traffic is interrupted until conditions improve.
Alava
- Gatzagako Mendatea / Port of Salinas (A-2622) – CLOSED.
- Herrera (A-2124) – CLOSED.
- Zaldíaran (A-3102) – CLOSED.
- Opakua (A-2128) – CLOSED.
Gipuzkoa
- Arantzazu (GI-3591) – CLOSED.
- Lizarrusti (GI-2120) – CLOSED.
- Mandubia (GI-2635) – CLOSED.
Chains and other restrictions
In addition to the closures, winter equipment is required to travel at various mountain passes. Where indicated, Chains are mandatory or winter tires, and heavy vehicles may have additional limitations.
- Elosua (GI-3750, Gipuzkoa) – Mandatory chains.
- Bidania (Gipuzkoa) – Mandatory chains.
- Otsaurte (GI-2637, Gipuzkoa) – Restrictions and need for chains depending on the section.
- Orduña (Bizkaia) – Chains required.
- Port of Vitoria – Restricted to heavy goods vehicles; passenger cars with chains/winter tires.
Areas to be warned about
In other sections traffic is permitted, but it is recommended exercise extreme caution due to snow, sleet, ice or fog, especially in the early morning and late evening.
Bizkaia
- Barazar (N-240) – Snow.
- Kanpazar (N-636) – Caution.
- Sollube (BI-631) – Caution due to wet and cold road surface.
- Autzagane (BI-3325) – Possible ice patches.
- Urkiola (BI-623) – Caution.
Alava
- Aiurdin (A-3600) – Snowing.
- Altube (A-624) – Fog and snow episodes.
- AP-68 (Altube) – Intermittent snowfall towards Bilbao.
- Barrerilla (A-2521) – Fog.
- Bernedo (A-2126) – Drive with caution.
- N-124 (Las Conchas) – Snow.
- N-622 (Altube-Vitoria) – Snow/ice depending on sections.
Gipuzkoa
- Etzegarate (N-1) – Snow.
- Jaizkibel (GI-3440) – Water/snow.
- Urraki (GI-3740) – Snow.
- Udana (GI-2630) – Snowfall.
- Artikutza (GI-3631) – Snowing.
What does each state on the road mean?
- Open: circulation permitted without additional requirements.
- Caution: There may be snow, ice or fog; drive with extra care.
- Chains/winter tires: transit permitted only with appropriate equipment.
- Closed: road temporarily interrupted due to adverse conditions.
Winter driving recommendations
If you have to travel, plan your route and consult official sources. Carry the appropriate equipment on board and anticipate braking and maneuvers reduces risks.
- Check the status of the route before leaving (011/112 and Trafikoa website).
- Use winter tires or chains on mountain passes and secondary roads.
- Reduce your speed and increase your following distance.
- Avoid affected ports if your vehicle is not prepared for snow/ice.
Weather forecast and warnings
The episode keeps active warnings for snowfall inlandwith temperatures dropping during the coldest hours. Showers are expected to be more frequent on the Cantabrian slope, with a possibility of isolated hail.
Since midnight, significant accumulations have been recorded, with values close to 35-37 l/m² in observatories in Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa. The snow level ranges between 400 and 700 meters depending on the time of day, tending to rise throughout the afternoon.
The official recommendation is to remain vigilant. warnings from Euskalmet and the Department of Securitybecause the evolution of the water level and the intensity of the showers can change the operation of the ports in a short time.
The situation at Basque ports is concentrated in major closures in Álava and Gipuzkoa, with chains and caution required at other passes, while Bizkaia is monitoring specific sections; it is advisable to check the updated report because the conditions change rapidly with each front and each drop in temperature.
