British tourists in Spain are facing hazardous conditions as a rare Arctic blast sweeps across the country, with up to 25cm (10 inches) of snow forecast in northern regions. Weather warnings have been issued for multiple areas, including popular tourist destinations, as forecasters warn of a 'significant risk' of disruption.
The heaviest snowfall is expected around Santander, Bilbao, and the Cantabrian Mountains, where 25cm could accumulate within 24 hours. Higher ground above 900 metres is already seeing snow, and the freezing level is expected to drop to 700 metres. Inland areas near Santander are on alert for 20cm, while parts of Navarre and La Rioja may see up to 10cm. Even San Sebastián could receive 5cm.
Snowfall is also reported further south, including the Burgos Plateau, La Rioja wine region, inland Zaragoza province, and elevated parts of Castellón. Additionally, rain, wind, and storm warnings are in place for Mallorca, with strong gusts and heavy showers expected. Most alerts remain active until 6pm today.
Temperatures across major Spanish cities are low: Zaragoza and Madrid will barely reach 5°C, Bilbao sits at 7°C with rain, while Barcelona will see 8°C. Coastal favourites Valencia, Seville, and Málaga fare slightly better at 10–11°C with sunny spells. Approximately 18 million Brits visit Spain annually, making it the most popular holiday destination for UK citizens.
