The storm Kristin is bringing a storm of wind, rain, cold and snow which is noticeable practically throughout the entire country. After the passage of other recent episodesThis new front has arrived quickly but with an intensity that is testing infrastructure, emergency services and mobility in numerous territories.
The administrations maintain weather warnings of varying levelsRoad closures, school closures, and recommendations to stay home are in place in the most affected areas. The focus is particularly on the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula due to hurricane-force winds, but also on the main mountain passes, where snow is affecting traffic and making the use of snow chains necessary.
Hurricane-force winds and red alert in 36 municipalities of Almería
One of the most delicate situations is in the province of Almería, where the Andalusian Regional Government has sent a Es-Alert message from civil protection to 36 municipalities in the meteorological region of the Almanzora Valley and Los Vélez. In this area, with just over 86.000 inhabitants, Aemet maintains the red alert activated for wind gusts classified as hurricane-force.
The alert message sent to mobile phones insists on avoid outdoor activities as much as possibleWooded areas, parks, areas with objects that could become dislodged, and, in general, any open space where the wind could pose a risk. Authorities urge extreme caution and adherence to the instructions of emergency services.
In addition to the red alert in this Almería region, the rest of the province remains under Orange alert for wind and rough seasThis situation is being repeated in other areas of Andalusia and along the Mediterranean coast. The strongest gusts are being recorded in the early hours of the day and during the afternoon, with a forecast of gradually subsiding in the following days.
Orange and yellow warnings: widespread storm across much of the country
Beyond Almería, Storm Kristin continues Warnings of varying levels are available throughout virtually all of Spain., as happened with the Storm ClaudiaAemet maintains an orange alert in large areas of Galicia, Castilla-La Mancha, the Region of Murcia, Andalusia, the Balearic Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, mainly due to strong winds, heavy rain and significant waves.
In these regions, the following are expected: wind gusts that can reach or exceed 130 km/h in exposed areas, as well as waves of up to six meters on the Andalusian Mediterranean coast. This combination of wind and swell complicates not only navigation, but also activity in ports and coastal areas.
In the interior of the peninsula, the storm is also manifesting itself through a notable drop in temperatures and snowfall at relatively low elevationsProvinces such as Ávila, Segovia, León, Zamora or Salamanca, as well as areas of Madrid and Extremadura, are registering episodes of snow that are fully affecting the road network.
At the same time, emergency services are monitoring the condition of rivers and reservoirs in several basins, given the possibility of rapid floods caused by the combination of heavy rains and snowmelt
More than 130 roads affected by snow, ice and flooding
The road network is one of the areas most affected by Kristin. According to the latest data from the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), More than 130 roads are affected by the storm, of which nine belong to the main network and the rest are secondary roads with different levels of restriction.
On the high-capacity road network, snow and ice affect traffic flow. key sections of motorways and expressways Such as the AP-6 between Las Eras and Gudillos, the A-52 between Rionegro del Puente and Infesta, or the A-23 in Huesca, on the stretch between Nueno and Lanave. At these points, the green alert level has been declared: traffic is permitted, but overtaking by trucks and heavy vehicles is prohibited, and drivers are asked to exercise extreme caution.
Other major roads are also experiencing incidents, such as the A-1 between San Agustín del Guadalix (Madrid) and Cerezo de Abajo (Segovia), the A-2 in parts of Soria and Guadalajara, the A-6 as it passes through the Community of Madrid and neighboring provinces, the A-23 in the province of Zaragoza and the A-52 as it passes through Zamora and Ourense. In all cases, transit is possible but with extreme caution due to the presence of snow, ice patches, or very strong gusts of wind.
Outside the main network, the situation is much more complex. Around twenty Secondary roads are completely blocked by snow and many more due to flooding and overflowing water. The provinces of Andalusia, especially Cádiz and Córdoba, top the list of roads closed due to water accumulation on the road surface.
In total, it is estimated that Nearly 3.000 kilometers of roads are affected in some wayWhether due to total closures, restrictions on certain vehicles, mandatory use of snow chains, or recommendations to drive only when strictly necessary, the DGT (Spanish Directorate General of Traffic) advises checking road conditions before starting any journey.
Closures due to flooding in Andalusia and other regions
The rain associated with Storm Kristin is hitting particularly hard in Western Andalusia, with Cadiz as one of the most affected provincesIn this territory, the intense rainfall has forced the complete closure of 15 roads due to flooding, including several sections of the A-2101, A-2202 and a good number of local roads (CA-3101, CA-3102, CA-3105, CA-3113, CA-4102, CA-4107, CA-5101, CA-6101, CA-6105, CA-6200, CA-8200, CA-9120 and CA-9209).
In the province of Córdoba, the The CO-4205 and CO-4207 bridges remain at the black level Due to overflowing rivers, passage remains suspended. In Badajoz, the BA-074 is at red alert level due to flooding, and other areas such as Cáceres, León, Girona, Málaga, and Ourense also have secondary roads closed due to water accumulation at critical points.
These rain-related incidents add to the complications caused by the snow, creating a combined risk scenario in numerous regionsEmergency services are carrying out targeted rescues in rural areas and monitoring the flow of streams and rivers that have significantly increased in volume.
In urban areas, several city councils have had to close parks, gardens and riverside areas as a precautionary measure, especially in areas where wind and rain coincide at the peak of the storm.
Snow in the mountains and mandatory use of snow chains
In the mountain areas, Storm Kristin is resulting in significant snow depths and very difficult driving conditionsSeveral roads remain at the black level due to snow, meaning they are completely closed to traffic. These include the A-395 and A-4025 in the Sierra Nevada area, as well as the AL-5405 in Granada, the TE-68 in Teruel, the ZP-5404 in Zaragoza, the LN-8 in Asturias, and the CC-437 towards Pico Villuercas in Cáceres.
Castilla y León is also experiencing a significant number of snow-related incidents. Roads LE-126, DSA-191, and ZA-103, among others, remain closed, while other high mountain sections in León, Zamora, and Salamanca have restrictions or limited traffic. Navarra adds closures on the NA-137, NA-2011 and NA-2012 roads, key to accessing Pyrenean valleys where snowfall is heavy.
In total, there are 27 roads where the decree has been issued red level and the use of chains is mandatoryThey highlight, for example, the N-260a and various sections of the N-330 around Candanchú, areas where snow accumulation is common and traffic of cars and heavy vehicles is severely limited.
In the Community of Madrid, the storm has caused traffic jams and mobility problems in the north and west of the regionwith significant disruptions to public transport. Numerous intercity bus routes have had to be diverted, shortened, or suspended due to the difficulty of operating in municipalities such as San Agustín del Guadalix, El Molar, La Cabrera, Torrelodones, Las Rozas, Majadahonda, Colmenar Viejo, and Tres Cantos, among others.
The regional administration maintains an active device with more than a hundred professionals and several dozen snowplows To keep main access roads and mountain passes clear, where the use of snow chains is mandatory, the public is asked to avoid unnecessary travel and prioritize public transport whenever possible.
Class suspensions and preventative measures in several communities
Kristin's impact has led several regional governments to close schools and cancel activities outdoors. In Andalusia, the red alert for hurricane-force winds and the risk of adverse coastal phenomena have led to the suspension of classes in numerous towns, especially in the eastern half and areas with greater exposure to the storm.
The Regional Government of Extremadura has adopted Similar measures in the face of the risk of flooding Due to the heavy rains, Ceuta has also decided to cancel classes for the day. In addition to schools and institutes, sporting events, leisure activities in public spaces, and other large gatherings that could be affected by the weather conditions have been suspended.
In the health and security sectors, emergency services work with reinforced devices against falling trees, landslides and rescues in particularly exposed areas. In Seville, for example, a woman was injured after a tree fell near the Diagnostic and Treatment Center of the Virgen del Rocío Hospital.
In the province of Cádiz, in the municipality of San Roque, some 250 people have been preventively evacuated in Jaén, the city council has ordered the evacuation of houses located in the river valleys due to rising water levels. These measures aim to anticipate potential flooding and ensure the safety of residents.
Authorities insist on the need to Only follow information from official channels.Avoid rumors and always check the updates from Aemet, civil protection and DGT before making any journey or outdoor activity.
Electrical system response and general recommendations
The storm associated with Storm Kristin has also had an impact on the energy sector. Red Eléctrica de España activated its emergency power system for two hours. Active Demand Response Service (ADRS), provided for in the system's operating protocols, to reinforce reserves in the event of a specific situation of reduced available resources.
This measure has been taken primarily to to mitigate the effect of the adverse situation in PortugalThis has forced a reduction in electricity imports, and a drop in wind power production is expected due to the storm's impact on the Spanish grid. Despite this, the company emphasizes that the continuity of supply has not been compromised at any time.
With the outlook for wind, snow, and heavy rain still in effect, authorities are advising the public Limit travel to what is strictly necessaryCheck the condition of the vehicle before leaving, carry chains in the trunk if you are going to drive in mountainous areas and always maintain a very cautious driving style.
Emphasis is also placed on the advisability of secure items on balconies and rooftops that can be blown away by the wind (flowerpots, awnings, furniture), avoid staying under trees or unstable structures, and do not approach breakwaters, jetties or seafront promenades when the sea is very rough.
The evolution of Storm Kristin suggests that the episode will be relatively quick, but in the meantime it is leaving a trail of significant incidents on roads, public transport, educational centers and basic services in much of Spain. The combination of hurricane-force winds in the southeast, snowfall in mountainous areas, and river flooding in specific locations requires everyone to remain vigilant and follow official recommendations at all times.
