New weather front following Storm Emilia could bring rare white Christmas to Spain

Some in Spain will be getting a rare white Christmas this year, and everyone a chilly one. Although the intense storm Emilia is finally moving away from Spain after causing major disruptions over the past week, meteorologists warn that the country is far from a respite.

A new cold front is approaching from the north, and an isolated low-pressure system known as a DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos) is forming in the south and will maintain widespread weather instability throughout the entire week, according to the latest forecasts from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET).

AEMET spokesperson Rubén del Campo explained that while Emilia’s direct influence is waning, the atmospheric setup remains highly unstable. “Rain will fall this Tuesday across most of the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands,” he said, adding that showers are expected to continue into Wednesday and Thursday, particularly along the Mediterranean coast.

Temperatures begin to drop Thursday

On Thursday, December 18, a cold front is going to reach the northwestern peninsula, bringing renewed precipitation and cooler air. Looking ahead to Friday and the weekend, rains could continue in northern and western regions, as well as in Mediterranean areas such as Catalonia and the Balearics. No part of the country is entirely safe from downpours, though the lowest probabilities are in Navarra, northern Aragon, and western Catalonia.

Temperatures are trending downward, especially in the west and south of the peninsula, with dramatic drops expected in nighttime readings across the north and centre. This cooler air mass could lead to frost formation in inland areas.

Persistent rainfall predicted for Catalonia & Valencia

Regionally, the heaviest impacts are expected in several key zones. Abundant, locally intense, and persistent rainfall is forecast for Galicia, Asturias, southern Andalucia, eastern Castilla-La Mancha, and the Mediterranean region, particularly southern Catalonia and the Valencia Community. The Balearic Islands will also see rainfall that could turn strong locally. As well, heavy snowfall is expected in the Central System mountains above approximately 1,200 metres, potentially disrupting roads and passes at higher elevations.

Wednesday, December 17 is highlighted as a particularly adverse day for the Mediterranean area, with thunderstorms, heavy and persistent downpours, and possible hail in eastern Catalonia, the Valencian Community, Murcia, eastern Andalucia, and the Balearics. In southern Valencia and northern Alicante, significant accumulations are possible, raising concerns about localised flooding.

DANA forming in south – Storms may return

Outside the Mediterranean, much of the rest of the country may see a brief lull in precipitation on Wednesday, but the overall pattern remains unsettled. As the week progresses, the incoming DANA from the south could intensify storms, while the northern cold front adds to the mix, potentially leading to a complex weather scenario with risks of torrential rains and sudden temperature shifts.

AEMET warns residents to stay updated on warnings, especially in vulnerable coastal and mountainous areas. Authorities recommend caution on roads, avoiding unnecessary travel in affected zones, and preparing for possible disruptions to daily life. This prolonged period of instability serves as a reminder of the increasingly unpredictable winter weather patterns affecting Spain.