Weather forecast for the long bank holiday weekend ahead

As thousands prepare to enjoy the 5-day December bank holiday weekend, all eyes are on the weather forecasts for the upcoming days. Spain is bracing itself for heavy rains and snow from various Atlantic fronts affecting the country, so here’s what to expect.

TUESDAY:
In the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, a stabilization of weather conditions is anticipated, with high-pressure systems becoming dominant, according to Aemet. Nevertheless, the eastern Cantabrian region, Pyrenees, northeastern Catalonia, and the northern Balearic Islands may experience cloudy conditions with occasional showers, possibly accompanied by thunderstorms in the Balearic surroundings, diminishing as the day progresses.

The rest of the Peninsula will see intervals of morning low clouds in interior areas, more prevalent in the southern third, with cloudiness increasing from southwest to northeast throughout the day, resulting in predominantly overcast skies. Precipitation is likely at the end of the day in the southwestern quadrant, with isolated possibilities in other southwestern areas.

Morning fog is probable in extensive inland areas of the Atlantic slope, especially in plateaus and Andalusian mountains, as well as in northeast depressions and other mountainous regions.

Snow level: 800/1,200m in the Pyrenees with significant accumulations at higher altitudes and the Cantabrian range, with low probability in this case, as well as in the Central System above 1,200m.

Temperatures will drop in most of the country, except for the southeastern third of the Peninsula, where increases are expected. Weak frosts are anticipated in extensive inland areas of the northern Peninsula, northeast of the Southern Plateau, and the Baetic Mountains, becoming more intense in mountainous regions, reaching strong levels in the Pyrenees.

Tramontana winds in the northern Balearic Islands, becoming strong in Ampurdán, cierzo in the Ebro, with some very strong gusts in the lower Ebro, westerly winds shifting to easterly in the Strait and Alboran, and northwest winds diminishing in the Cantabrian and the rest of the Mediterranean, with occasional strong intervals in the eastern Cantabrian and the Balearic Sea. Light winds prevail from the west and north in the rest of the Peninsula.

WEDNESDAY:
A low-pressure system is expected to approach the southwestern Peninsula, bringing predominantly cloudy or overcast skies to much of the southern and eastern Peninsular thirds and the Balearic Islands. Clearing skies are anticipated throughout the day, becoming generally clear. Persistent cloudiness and light rainfall are expected in Andalusia, with more intense precipitation near the Strait, and occasional showers in the northern Balearic Islands.

Additionally, an Atlantic front will enter from the northwest, resulting in overcast skies or cloud cover from west to east. Precipitation is anticipated in the northwest third during the second half of the day, heavy and with significant accumulations in the west of Galicia, with the possibility of weak precipitation in the rest of the northwest.

With a low probability of snowfall, the snow level will be between 1,000/1,400 m in the northern and central Peninsular mountains and around 1,800/2,000 m in the southeast.

Maximum temperatures are expected to rise almost universally, with slight decreases in Mediterranean areas. Minimum temperatures will decrease in the northeastern third of the Peninsula, with slight decreases in the interior and increases in coastal and southern areas, more pronounced in the southwest. Weak frosts are expected in extensive inland areas of the northern Peninsula and the eastern Southern Plateau, moderate in mountainous regions, and becoming strong in the Pyrenees.

South winds in the Cantabrian region and Galicia, increasing and reaching strong intervals and very strong gusts on the Galician and Cantabrian coasts. Tramontana winds in Ampurdán and the Balearic Islands, subsiding, and easterly winds in the Strait and Alboran. Light and variable winds, tending to the south in the rest of the Peninsula.

THURSDAY:
The Peninsula and the Balearic Islands will be under the influence of a frontal system, resulting in overcast or cloudy skies and widespread precipitation moving from northwest to southeast. However, it will be less likely and of weak intensity in Mediterranean areas and the southern third of the Peninsula, as per Aemet.

Conversely, rainfall will be more abundant in the western Central System and Galicia, where it may be persistent and locally strong, especially on the Atlantic side of this region. Some occasional thunderstorms are also possible in the northwest. The snow level will be at 1,200/1,400 meters in the Pyrenees, rising above 2,000 meters.

Mist and frontal fog are expected in the main mountainous areas of the Peninsula.

Temperatures will significantly and almost universally rise, especially the minimum temperatures, potentially reaching notable increases in the northern and southeastern extremes. Frosts will be limited to the Pyrenees.

South and southwest winds will blow, shifting to the west in the Cantabrian region, Strait, and Alboran. They are expected to become strong with very strong gusts on the Galician and Cantabrian coasts.

WEATHER FROM FRIDAY ONWARDS:
The Peninsula and the Balearic Islands are expected to be under the influence of a front, resulting in overcast or cloudy skies and widespread precipitation, less likely in the southeastern extreme of the Peninsula and decreasing throughout the day, generally becoming mostly clear. Only in Galicia, the Cantabrian region, and the Pyrenees is cloudiness and showers expected to persist.

The snow level will be at 1,600/1,800 meters, dropping to 1,200/1,400 meters in the Pyrenees, Cantabrian range, and with low probability in the Central and Iberian Systems. Significant accumulations are expected in the Pyrenees. In the Canary Islands, a more stable day is expected, with mostly clear or partly cloudy skies and no precipitation.

Temperature increases are expected in Mediterranean areas and the Ebro Valley, with decreases prevailing elsewhere, more pronounced in the northern extremes.