Parts of Spain have been blanketed in heavy snow as Storm Filomena hit half the country on Saturday, January 9. Air, road and rail travel has been disrupted as a result, and according to Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, it is the heaviest storm to hit the country in the past 50 years.
Madrid is one of the most affected areas, and is expected to receive 20cm of snow in the next 24 hours. Rivers have also burst their banks as a result of the storm.
Four deaths have been reported as a result of Storm Filomena, reports the BBC, with two people freezing to death. One froze to death in the town of Zarzalejo, while the other died in Calatayud. Two more people died when their car was swept away by floods in the city of Malaga.
Madrid City Centre today as the snow storm has his Spain 🇪🇸… pic.twitter.com/pkckBb0gK3
— Fr. Robbie O’Callaghan (@FrRobbieOCall) January 9, 2021
The snow first hit Madrid on Friday, January 8, causing a number of vehicles to be stranded on a motorway near the city. The Barajas city airport has also been closed as a result of the storm, as well as a number of roads. Trains going to and from Madrid have also been cancelled.
I don’t want to be a Grinch but this is my patio in Madrid, Spain today.
Snow is nice but this is far from normal. I’ve never seen this in Madrid in my life, neither my parents.
Climate change is real and it’s scary. pic.twitter.com/x7ngm1gfLj
— Marina Díez ⚡️ (@Ninfa_dp) January 9, 2021
In some parts of the country, the military has been called to help clear roads. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged people to stay at home and to follow the instructions of emergency services.
The cold weather is expected to continue beyond the weekend with temperatures in Madrid predicted to hit -12°C on Thursday.
Picture: Twitter/Marina Diez
