Over the weekend, Spain was dramatically affected by Storm Filomena, blanketing the country in snow like we haven’t seen in decades.
Consequently, most of the country faced severe conditions, but the capital, Madrid, bore the brunt of the storm, receiving between 25 to 50 centimeters of snow—an unprecedented event since the 1970s, as highlighted by numerous Spanish news outlets.
Moreover, many residents in Madrid took to the streets, enjoying the unexpected snowfall. People were seen engaging in playful snowball fights in the iconic Plaza Mayor or even skiing down the bustling Gran Vía, typically one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares.
However, such extreme weather conditions also caused significant issues for the city, which is already facing challenges due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, alerts had been issued since Thursday, but the storm turned out to be more severe than expected, tragically resulting in four reported fatalities.
In light of these dangerous conditions, Spanish authorities, including King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, advised the public to stay indoors as the cold snap is anticipated to persist throughout the week. Presently, Madrid is largely cut off, with roads closed and the Madrid-Barajas airport operating only partially.
For those seeking updates regarding the situation, El País, one of Spain’s leading newspapers, has provided a live update feed that you can view here or on their respective social media platforms.
