Greater Nevada

February 4, 1888. Asturias dawns in the midst of icy cold with the first snowflakes of winter that will go down in history. The first episode, known as the great nevada in 1888, it left scores of wounds, killed 42, and carried off 20.000 head of cattle, destroying 1.000 homes and cutting them off from the outside world for a month. Up to 9 meters of snow at more than 1.000 meters high, and 3 meters of snow at the lower levels of only 500 meters. Many people wonder if this phenomenon can happen again.

In this article we are going to tell you everything that happened with the great Nevadona and what its characteristics and consequences were.

the great nevada

On February 14 it began to snow, and it snowed almost all day on the 20th, until the 23rd, although there was a strong frost, but there was a brief improvement. On the 24th a new period of snow began, which was stronger than the previous days and did not stop until the beginning of March, followed by a strong frost. Around March 8/9, the winds changed from west to southwest, producing a brief but intense melting and flooding of the rivers, which aggravated the conditions already seen in Cantabria and Asturian cities. dramatic scenery. When everything seemed to be over, in the second fortnight of the month, a new snowfall began, very intense, especially in the interior and the alpine regions, which did not stop until the following day.

At one point, snowfalls are accompanied by intense blizzards that accumulate large amounts of snow which then begin to translate into catastrophic avalanches and large landslides as temperatures rise and the ice melts. If you'd like to learn more about these weather phenomena, you can consult additional information on blizzards.

It didn't snow until the 20th, and then from the last week of March, the south returned with downpours and torrential rains and the Ebro river became raging again. The cold will still return at the end of April, but that snow has passed, but the devastation can still be felt for months.

This is the panorama offered by the intense snowfall that devastated Cantabria at the time. Fdata from places where snowfall must be very intense, such as the Soba Valley and the Ramales-Ruesga-Arredondo area. The highest areas are in the Pas, Pisueña, and Miera valleys (Puertos de Lunada and Estacas de Trueba). On the other hand, there is hardly any data on Bolaciones because it was discovered several weeks ago. In any case, considering the altitude of these locations, the average thickness will not be less than 2,50 meters. Needless to say, on the glaciers of the Campo region or in the high valleys of Liébana, there are stories of heights exceeding 6 and 8 meters. Furthermore, there have been cases of historic snowfalls in Madrid that also left their mark on history.

Damages produced

Here is a summary of the damage caused by the great Nevadona:

Molledo, many mares were trapped by the storm.
Castillo Pedroso, four roofs collapsed due to the snow. Six mares died on Mount Esponzúes.
Lamasón, the entire stud farm died from the snowfall. Five blocks collapsed and all the cows inside died. There are also several sinkholes in Rionansa. In Cicera (Peñarubia) two houses have collapsed, one of which is a boys' school.
On the way to Tresviso, a herdsman on the River Herdon fell off a cliff and was killed instantly.
In Bejes, part of the church collapsed.
In San Miguel de Aguayo, more than 30 families have gone 20 days without bread.
In San Roque de Riomiera the roof of the parish church collapsed. Several huts collapsed and several cows died in them.
Renedo de Cabuérniga, where horses and cattle died stranded on the mountain, the cabin collapsed under the weight of the snow.
Several houses and barns sank in Santa Ageda, Bostronizo, Molledo and other towns in the region.
In Molledo at least 60 mares died, with another 70 dead.
In Bárcena de Pie de Concha more than 30 mares died, and there were as many in the mountains.
In Valle (Cabuérniga), a house sank and six more for the winter. In Carmona, two houses and two blocks suffered the same fate. In Bárcena Mayor, 12 houses and blocks collapsed, with another two houses in Correpoco as many as in Colsa.
In Tudanca, the church portico and two stables collapsed.
In Obeso (Rionanza), a stable collapsed. In San Sebastián de Gara Bandar, there are four blocks and two sunken winter blocks. A stable and three winters in Cosío. Many winters are buried, not knowing the fate of its inhabitants and livestock.
In Arredondo there are several sinkholes.
In Néstares, a portal and part of the church collapsed, as well as a house in Fontibre, two in Espinilla and two in El Soto.
In San Miguel de Aguayo, two barns, a house and a hotel collapsed. In Santa Maria, another house and three sheds in Pescara.

Nevada of Madrid of 1904

Tales of Greater Nevada

"People in China say that they haven't seen such a big snowstorm in many years" (overview of the year)

“The groceries to Linares left Fierros at twelve noon by pedestrians who, as I have already said, carried the snow up to their necks as they walked, often with open arms.” (The Carbayon)

“We were hit by one of the heaviest snowfalls we have ever seen, and the ground was covered in a huge white sheet.” (Description of the Nevada in Oviedo)

"The wolves have approached the city. Yesterday some were seen near the new cemetery» (Oviedo-El Carbayón)

“During the day the streets are cleaned with hoses and cars are used to collect snow.” (Nevada in the Capital)

“There was a big snowfall in this port. In the village, the wife of the first guard died in an avalanche. Eight meters of snow covered the machine.

“Today the Lena-Gijón railway from Pola de Gordón to Puente de los Fierros is 62 kilometres long and has no communication links. It has two stations, Villamanín and Busdongo on the Castilian side, and one in Asturias. 4 stations on the Brazilian side: Pajares, Navidiello, Linares and Malvedo. There are 61 tunnels in the 42 km section between Busdongo and Puente de los Fierros.” (Railway Status – El Carbayón)

«It kept snowing constantly, with the same grace as eight days ago (…) It was snowing a lot all night, with a huge blizzard. It was snowing so hard all night last night that a road had to be opened this morning to get out of the hotel, the snow was falling on the windows of the restaurant and we were below zero.” (Chronicle of the Iron Region)

“Six men had to help the civil police sergeant so that he could leave the barracks.” (Iron bridge)