Winter is here: mass of polar air brings freezing conditions to much of Spain

THE freezing conditions which have gripped Europe over the last week are set to descend on Spain from Tuesday, January 17.

The Spanish meteorological service, AEMET, has issued a yellow severe weather alert for low temperatures in Jaen, Granada and Almeria, with a coastal warning also in place.

Snow is expected to fall at relatively low altitudes across northern Spain and the Balearics as a powerful mass of polar air sweeps the country.

Further north, a maximum red warning was issued in Huesca, Aragon, and Lleida, Catalonia, plus 19 other provinces on Monday, January 16, after heavy snowfall overnight heightened the risk of avalanches, while snow also provoked travel chaos in Burgos and Leon, Castilla y Leon.

Strong winds of 70-100 km/h have accompanied the cold snap thus far, with a yellow warning issued in Barcelona and five-metre waves set to lash Mallorca and Menorca.

There is also a possibility of snowfall along the Mediterranean coastline from Catalonia to Almeria.

Readers are advised to take care and wrap up warm in the areas affected, with temperatures lower than 5°C forecast throughout much of the peninsula on Wednesday and Thursday.

In mountainous areas, particularly the Pyrenees and Iberian System, minimum temperatures of -10 to -15°C are expected.