Winter Strikes Back: Atlantic Front to Bring Sharp Cooling, Snow, and Gales to Spain This Weekend

Spain’s weather is set for a dramatic shift this coming weekend. After several days of warm and stable spring conditions, an Atlantic front will sweep across the Iberian Peninsula, bringing a significant drop in temperatures, widespread precipitation, and strong winds. The national weather service Aemet has issued a warning regarding the impending change.

Forecasters predict that air temperatures will plummet, falling significantly below the typical climate norms for April. This weather transition will be accompanied by rain, gusty winds, and even snowfall in certain areas.

Friday will remain relatively calm, with variable cloud cover and brief thunderstorms expected primarily in southern and mountainous regions. Temperatures in the north could still reach +30°C. However, by Saturday, the situation will change radically.

The arrival of an active cold front will trigger intense precipitation. The south can expect heavy rain with thunderstorms and possible hail, while the north—particularly Cantabria and the Pyrenees—will see prolonged rainfall. North-westerly winds will strengthen, with gusts exceeding 70 km/h in some areas. The primary event will be the sharp cooling caused by an influx of cold polar air, causing temperatures to drop significantly during both day and night.

In northern and north-eastern regions, snow could fall at altitudes as low as 700–1,000 metres. High-altitude mountain areas may see substantial accumulations, with up to 40 centimetres of snow expected throughout the period.

The cold snap will persist into Sunday. In most major cities, temperatures will not exceed +20°C, and in many regions, they will remain below +15°C. The unstable weather will shift toward the Mediterranean, with heavy rain and storms possible across the Balearic Islands.

Meteorologists note that conditions will begin to improve starting Monday. Precipitation is only expected along the Cantabrian coast and in Galicia, as well as in the Balearic Islands, during the first half of the day. By Tuesday, temperatures are expected to return to typical spring levels.