The squalls Gerard and Fien They have brought us back to reality. After an autumn of warm temperatures, these meteorological phenomena are reminding us that we are in winter. From January 16, in all Autonomous Communities of Spain its effects are being felt.
So that you are aware of what is happening, we are going to explain everything you need to know about these two storms and what their effects are being both on the towns and on the fields and roads. So you can take the due precautions.
What is a squall?
Drawing that reproduces the passage of a storm through the north of Spain
Effects of the Filomena storm in Madrid
Chronologically, the Gerard and Fien storms are the first two of the year 2023. Gerard has been shorter, since it arrived on the 16th and only 24 hours later has given way to Fien. We could tell you that the first has been a warning for the second. However, Gerard has already left us drop in temperatures, snow levels around the 600 or 700 meters high and accumulated up to 30 centimeters in the Pyrenees.
But, although it has also brought snow to the Cantabrian Mountains, the most relevant aspect of this first storm has been the rain. To give you an idea, for example, in Cantabria some have fallen 80 liters per square meter. Also, if you want to know more about the evolution of storms, you can consult our guide on named storms.
Likewise, on the northern coast of Spain, the waves have already reached the eight meters high And the temperatures have dropped a lot. A good part of her fault lies with the strong winds. In Galicia, streaks of up to 160 kilometers per hour. However, Gerard has affected the south of the Iberian Peninsula less, something that is changing with the arrival of the Fien storm.
Squall Fien is here
River flooded by storm
If Gerard's step has been intense, Fien's will be even more so, who is also a cold squall and it will take more days to go away. Since Tuesday, there has been a drop in temperatures with the entry of Polar cold. In turn, this will cause snow falls at very low elevations. It's already doing it just 500 meters and it will keep going down. You could even do it at sea level.
In fact, they have already been given snow warnings in all the northern strip of Spain, Specially in Galicia, Asturias, León and Huesca. But also in the rest of Castilla y Leon, from the north of Catalonia, Madrid and the provinces of Castilla la Mancha. However, not only this type of precipitation will cause problems.
They will also continue and even intensify the strong winds and rain. Likewise, the Fien squall will have special virulence in the sea. Specifically in the River waves of more than nine meters and winds of more than 100 kilometers per hour are expected. However, the latter will also affect inland provinces such as Burgos or Soria, with speeds greater than 90 kilometers. They will even be given in the Levantine zone with the same virulence.
The wind will begin to lose strength from Wednesday. But this does not mean that the weather situation improves. Unlike, more polar air will enter y snowfall will intensify. Likewise, as we have already told you, the communities in the south of the Peninsula, which have been less affected on Monday and Tuesday, will also suffer the storm in all its intensity. The only areas that, according to experts, will suffer less from it will be Estremadura y Canary Islands.
As for the Balearics, the notice will also become orange since Wednesday. There will be waves over six meters, although some larger ones may appear, especially to the west of Mallorca and Menorca. But, in any case, as we told you, the situation will worsen on Wednesday throughout the country. And the bad weather will last, at least, until next Saturday, when Fien finishes crossing the Iberian Peninsula.
First consequences of the storms Gerard and Fien
Storm in the heights of Navarre
