People in the town of Bunyola, in the Serra de Tramuntana (Mallorca).
The cold wave currently affecting Spain is bringing snow to very low elevations and to places where this phenomenon is unusual, such as much of the Balearic Islands and communities along the Mediterranean coast. You can learn more about the winter weather in our article on the cold wave in Spain and its impact on the current climate, as well as read about other cold waves recorded around the world.
Today, Wednesday, January 18, many communities are on alert for low temperatures, wind, and snow.
Forecast for today January 18
Image - AEMET
Temperatures
Today, temperatures as low as -12°C are expected in parts of Aragon, the Catalan Pyrenees, Albarracín, Jiloca, Gúdar, Maestrazgo, and the Zaragoza section of the Iberian System. The provinces of Ávila, Burgos, León, Segovia, Soria, and Zamora are under an orange alert for temperatures between -10°C and -11°C. Palencia, Salamanca, and Valladolid are under a yellow alert for frost with temperatures between -6°C and -9°C. This phenomenon is similar to what we have seen in other places, such as Japan, which has been experiencing a similar event. To learn more about these low temperatures, visit our section on cold on clear nights , and you can also find out what a cold wave is to better understand this phenomenon.
Snow
Although the snow level will remain between 0 and 300 meters today, there is a snow alert in Almería and southwestern Murcia, where a significant impact is expected due to the current weather situation in Spain. It is important to remember that cold waves can seriously affect safety in these areas.
Bad sea
Along the Mediterranean coast and in the Balearic Islands, the sea will remain very rough , with northeasterly winds and gusts of force 8, which will favor the formation of waves up to 5 meters high. It is important to bear in mind that similar situations can increase the danger of the weather, as we discussed in our article on cold weather and its effects on safety, as well as in places with record extreme temperatures.
Forecast for tomorrow, January 19
Image - AEMET
Temperatures
The northern half of the Iberian Peninsula, as well as the Mediterranean coast, will be on alert due to temperatures that could reach as low as -15ºC in parts of the Pyrenees and the Iberian System . In inland areas of the peninsula, temperatures may not rise above 5ºC, while the rest of the country is expected to see highs of up to 15ºC in the Mediterranean and up to 20ºC in the Canary Islands, which have not been affected by the cold wave. To understand this phenomenon, we recommend reading about the coldest countries on the planet where extreme temperatures have been recorded, and also about their effects.
Snow
Regarding the risk of snowfall, Albacete, Murcia, Almería, Alicante, and Valencia will be on yellow alert, and they are preparing for challenging weather in the coming hours. We have already seen how these conditions can seriously impact the regional climate.
Bad sea
The situation will begin to improve tomorrow in the Balearic Islands, which will remain on alert, this time a yellow alert for wind and rough seas with waves of 2-3 meters. On the Mediterranean coast, the situation will worsen, especially on the Valencian coast, due to strong winds and waves that could reach 5 meters . At this time of year, understanding the interactions between climates is essential, so you can read more about the link between cold waves and climate change and their impact on the Mediterranean.
The situation is expected to improve from January 20th. There is not much time left .