Snowstorms hit Spain and Portugal. The rainfall caused significant difficulties for drivers, and over 40 roads were impassable. Meteorological agencies announce that this is not the end of weather difficulties.
After a warm weekend, a wave of cold, moist air came to the Iberian Peninsula on Tuesday. Spain and Portugal experienced heavy rainfall and freezing rain, and even snow fell in mountainous areas. There were warnings against storms, and along the shores – also against storm surges. By Tuesday afternoon, a total of over 40 roads were impassable in both countries.
Winter attack in Spain
According to the General Directorate of Road Traffic (DGT) in Spain, the greatest difficulties in this country occurred as a result of snowfall in the autonomous communities of Cantabria, Madrid, Andalusia, Castile and Leon, Galicia, Aragon, Catalonia and Navarre.
The authorities of many municipalities recommended drivers to use tire chains due to the large layer of snow on the roads and, in some places, black ice.
A rare winter attack on the Iberian Peninsula at the end of March brought particular traffic difficulties in the agglomeration of large cities such as Madrid, Zaragoza and Salamanca. In Granada, Huesca and Lerida, trucks were banned on several roads.
Blizzards in Portugal
In Portugal, traffic conditions were particularly difficult in the districts of Guarda and Braganca in the northeast. It turned white around the city of Montalegre, near the border with Spain, where blowing snow significantly reduced visibility.
On Tuesday afternoon, some roads connecting Spain with Portugal were also impassable. Traffic chaos was hampered by an insufficient number of snow plows.
According to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), snowstorms may affect not only the northern regions of the country. Snowfall is also expected in the southern Algarve region, popular among tourists, in the coming hours.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/JESUS DIGES