Storm Kristin Disrupts Travel across the Iberian Peninsula, Affecting nearly 1,800 Kilometers of Roads
A powerful storm system, Kristin, continues to wreak havoc on roadways across the Iberian Peninsula, leaving approximately 1,794 kilometers of roads impacted by snow, flooding, and landslides as of Wednesday. The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) is urging motorists to exercise extreme caution and plan ahead before embarking on any journeys.
widespread Disruptions and Road Closures
The storm, which arrived on Wednesday, has resulted in 102 roads affected by snowfall, wiht two main network routes passable only with caution. A further 16 secondary roads have been completely closed due to snow accumulation, while 36 others are impassable due to flooding caused by heavy rainfall. Landslides have compounded the issue, rendering an additional five secondary and conventional roads unusable.
Key Road Closures and Affected Regions
The most significant disruptions on the main network are occurring on the A-62 near Rodasviejas in Salamanca, and on the A-66 between Mayalde (Zamora) and Beleña (Salamanca).According to the DGT, both routes are currently open but require careful navigation.
A substantial number of secondary roads are also impacted. These include:
- AL-5405 in Las Tres Villas (Almería)
- A-395 and A-4025 in Sierra Nevada (Granada)
- ZP-5404 in Tarazona (Zaragoza)
- TE-68 in Guadalaviar (Teruel)
- LN-8 in El quempu (Asturias)
- CC-437 in Pico Villuercas (Cáceres)
- OU-122 in Lardeira (Ourense)
- NA-2011 in Pikatua and NA-2012 in Irati (Navarra)
The region of Castilla y León is experiencing notably intense effects from Storm Kristin, with disruptions reported on roads including the AV-932 in piedrahita and AV-901 in Burgohondo (both in Ávila), the LE-126 in La Baña and LE-321 in Redipuertas (both in León), the ZA-103 in San Martín de Castañeda (Zamora), and the DSA-191 in Candelario (Salamanca).
Andalusia Heavily Impacted by Flooding and Landslides
The majority of the 36 roads closed due to flooding – 32 in total – are located in Andalusia, specifically within the provinces of Cádiz and Granada. Additional closures due to flooding have been reported in León, Badajoz, and Cáceres.
Landslides have further exacerbated the situation,with three affected roads located in Andalusia: the N-323 in Carcheles (Jaén),the A-8152 in Lebrija (Seville),and the N-331 in Antequera (Málaga). The AB-206 in Albacete and the EX-373 in Hinojal (Cáceres) are also currently impassable due to landslide damage.
DGT Safety Recommendations
The DGT strongly advises drivers to thoroughly plan their trips and check current weather and road conditions before traveling. Motorists are urged to leave the left lane clear for maintenance and snow removal vehicles,pay close attention to road signage,exercise extreme caution,and ensure they are equipped with the appropriate gear for winter driving conditions.
As Storm Kristin continues its path across the Iberian Peninsula, travelers should remain vigilant and prioritize safety.
