Spain Braces for Prolonged Period of Unsettled Weather,Forecasts Extend into Spring
Spain is facing a turbulent weather pattern,with a winter storm – dubbed Kristin – currently impacting nearly the entire country. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued red, orange, and yellow warnings for rain, wind, snow, and sea storms, describing the situation as “very adverse” particularly in the north and southwest of the Iberian Peninsula.
While the immediate intensity of Storm Kristin is expected to diminish starting Thursday, January 29th, 2026, a prolonged period of Atlantic-driven instability is anticipated, extending well into March. Despite a temporary recovery in temperatures towards the end of January, snowfall will likely remain confined to mountainous regions.
Aemet officials cautioned that uncertainty remains regarding the short-term evolution of the storm, but emphasized the need for vigilance. A recent advisory from the agency highlighted the potential for snowfall at low levels, very strong winds across large areas, and dangerous sea conditions. You can find more facts on Aemet’s website: https://t.co/48Lsr8QC4f.
As official forecasts remain cautious, attention has turned to the predictions of Jorge Rey, a young meteorologist known as “the meteorologist boy,” who gained prominence after accurately forecasting the notable snowfall event, Filomena, in 2021. Rey utilizes the customary “cabañuelas” method – an ancestral practice based on observing natural patterns – to formulate his long-range forecasts.
Rey’s analysis suggests that while frosts will begin to subside with milder westerly winds in late january,instability will persist. He anticipates rains stemming from an Atlantic storm impacting western and southern regions starting January 30th, leading to storms in the Levant and cooler temperatures due to continental winds in early February.
According to rey, a temporary anticyclone around February 3rd or 4th will bring slightly higher temperatures and almost spring-like conditions to much of the peninsula. However, this respite will be short-lived, with rain returning to the Cantabrian Sea by the end of the first week of February. This precipitation, while not expected to be significant, will create a low-pressure zone over Spain, perhaps leading to a Dana (Isolated Depression at High levels) bringing rain to the Mediterranean around February 11th and 12th, with the possibility of strong storms diminishing around February 17th and 18th.
The final days of February are predicted to be marked by the interaction of several fronts in the northwest, bringing showers and wind. Temperatures will remain relatively stable until February 25th, when colder air and rain are expected to move into the northern half of the peninsula, eventually spreading southward.
Looking ahead to March,rey forecasts a rainy front impacting western Spain,particularly Andalusia and Extremadura,with potential effects reaching the Canary Islands. This will be followed by a brief period of warmer temperatures due to southwesterly winds. However, a colder air mass is expected to arrive around March 2nd or 3rd, potentially bringing rain to the Canary Islands.
A brief pause in atmospheric activity around March 5th and 6th will offer a temporary reprieve, but Rey predicts the return of fronts from the west with cooler, rainy conditions.A period of calm is anticipated around March 12th and 13th, potentially accompanied by a significant rise in temperatures due to southerly winds. However, another storm is expected to follow, bringing rain to western and central-southwestern Spain.
As spring approaches, Rey suggests that northerly winds will become dominant, potentially bringing snowfall to northern regions around March 22nd, with a possibility of light rain in the Canary Islands. The coming months promise a continued period of dynamic weather patterns for Spain, highlighting the challenges of long-range forecasting and the importance of staying informed through official sources like Aemet.
