Thursday. 21.11.2024
ORANGE ALERT

April snowstorm causes severe traffic disruptions in northern Spain

National weather service AEMET issued severe weather warnings for Friday and the weekend for numerous areas in a total of nine of the country's 17 regions.

22 November 2021, Spain, Madrid: A snowplow removes snow from the roads of Puerto de Navacerrada after a heavy snowfall. Photo: Rafael Bastante/EUROPA PRESS/dpa.
A snowplow removes snow from the roads of Puerto de Navacerrada after a heavy snowfall. Photo: Rafael Bastante/dpa/File photo..

A snowstorm caused severe traffic disruptions in northern Spain on Friday, with the Pyrenean region of Navarre on the border with France particularly affected.

The regional government in Pamplona announced that there were problems on the A15 motorway and several country roads, and that three mountain passes had been closed.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez cancelled a visit to the National Centre for Renewable Energies in Sarriguren in the north because of "bad weather conditions."

The snowstorm, which has been raging since Thursday, has covered streets, parks and roofs of the 200,000-inhabitant city of Pamplona and other municipalities in Navarre with a layer of white.

National weather service AEMET issued severe weather warnings for Friday and the weekend for numerous areas in a total of nine of the country's 17 regions.

Extreme cold, high waves

Residents of affected areas have been warned of extreme cold, snow, strong winds and high waves, among other things.

An orange warning level is also in effect for the Balearic Islands, including the holiday island of Mallorca.

According to AEMET, waves of up to 8 metres are expected there.

April snowstorm causes severe traffic disruptions in northern Spain