An Atlantic storm named Kristin rapidly moved across the Iberian Peninsula on Wednesday, causing travel disruptions, school closures, and emergency responses from Madrid to Andalusia. Spain’s traffic authority reported over 130 roads impacted by snow and heavy rain by late afternoon, while Portugal’s civil protection service confirmed four fatalities and widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of customers.
Spain began the day with a mix of snow, rain, and strong winds as Storm Kristin approached from the Atlantic, creating dangerous conditions in many areas. By 18:33 local time, the national traffic authority (DGT) reported 133 roads affected nationwide, including nine on the main network, advising drivers to exercise caution and noting that some secondary routes were completely closed due to snow or heavy rain.
The situation was monitored through live updates by elDiario.es, which referenced transportation, weather, and emergency officials as the storm’s impact moved south and east throughout the day.
Road Closures and Travel Warnings
Several regions experienced transport disruptions, with snow particularly affecting higher elevations and key routes in and out of the capital. The A-6 motorway linking Madrid with north-west Spain was temporarily closed for much of the morning due to snow accumulation, reopening later with restrictions for heavy vehicles. Other sections imposed truck limits and required winter tires or chains.
Authorities continually advised residents to delay non-essential travel and to check official traffic bulletins before traveling. DGT offers continuous updates and downloadable bulletins on road conditions through its public information services, including its traffic incident portal.
Classes Suspended and Local Emergency Plans Activated
As the storm moved through various autonomous communities, school disruptions occurred. In Castilla y León, local reports cited by elDiario.es mentioned more than 13,000 students absent due to snow. In Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete city suspended in-person classes at schools and the local university campus in the afternoon, while municipal services activated emergency plans and addressed incidents like falling branches and wind-blown debris.
In other areas, city leaders stressed caution regarding daily routines. Madrid’s mayor described conditions as stable later in the day but ordered large parks closed as a safety measure during strong winds.
Andalusia Becomes the Centre of Impact
By mid-afternoon, severe conditions had moved toward southern Spain. In Andalusia, emergency services recorded nearly 2,000 incidents, and local reports noted five injuries and rail service delays. Spain’s national weather agency, AEMET, maintained a red-level warning for extreme winds in parts of Almería, with gusts expected up to 130 km/h, while other provinces faced orange warnings for heavy rain and dangerous seas.
Power supply was also disrupted. Utility company Endesa deployed teams across Andalusia to address storm-related damage, with about 8,000 customers experiencing outages at times as repairs continued.
For the latest official warnings, AEMET provides real-time regional alerts through its meteorological warning service.
Portugal: Four Deaths and Major Electricity Outages
The same weather system significantly impacted Portugal, resulting in four deaths and major electricity outages affecting many residents.
Leave a Reply