Snow surprises Madrid residents: storm 'Kristin' keeps almost all of Spain on alert

Spain faces a new episode of intense winter weather in the coming hours, marked by the rapid formation and passage of storm Kristin, which will leave a scenario of generalized instability and adverse conditions both on land and on the coast. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has activated warnings for snow, rain, wind, and rough seas across almost the entire country, with special emphasis on large areas of the interior and northern peninsula.

Red Weather Warnings for Extreme Wind

All autonomous communities are on alert, **except Navarra**. The most serious situation is recorded in **Almería**, where Aemet has activated the **red level for extraordinary risk**, with **wind gusts that can reach 130 kilometers per hour**. In **Extremadura**, the emergency service **112 has also raised the wind alert to red** in the **Meseta cacereña, Villuercas, and Montánchez**, while the rest of the community remains under **warnings for heavy rainfall**

Road Restrictions and Class Suspensions

In the **Community of Madrid**, the **112 has announced the mandatory use of chains or winter tires on all mountain passes** and has requested **maximum caution on the road network**, due to the **traffic jams recorded on the access roads to the highways** as a consequence of the storm. Furthermore, in **El Escorial, classes have been suspended** due to adverse weather conditionsImages of snow in the very center of Madrid are starting to go viral:

Dozens of roads affected

The episode of rain and snow has kept 75 roads affected across the country since early Wednesday morning. Some remain closed to traffic, others have restrictions for heavy trucks, and on several, the use of chains or winter tires is mandatory. The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) updates the status of the roads in real-time and recommends avoiding unnecessary travel.

The DGT has reminded people not to forget to carry chains or winter tires to drive on the roads:

Kristin takes over from Joseph

Storm Kristin has succeeded Joseph, which on Tuesday caused serious incidents and claimed the life of a woman in Torremolinos, after a palm tree fell on her due to the strong wind. In addition, flooding, collapses, and accidents were recorded in various areas of Galicia, Andalusia, and Castilla y León.