Spain May Get a White Christmas: Aemet Forecasts Snow Across Several Regions

Breaking: Spain Braces for a Wintry Christmas as frost and Snow Favor Several Regions

Spain’s national weather service has issued a festive-season forecast that points to a noticeable cold spell as Christmas approaches.While the winter so far hasn’t been severely chilly, temperatures are expected to fall the closer we get to December 25, wiht a marked shift in conditions in the days ahead.

Forecasts indicate that the change could begin late Sunday, December 21, into Monday, December 22, bringing wintry conditions to much of the country. Aemet spokesperson Rubén Del Campo warned of a cold start to Christmas, including frost across the interior of the peninsula.

Where snow could fall this Navidad

Snow is considered likely in the mountain ranges, with the interior of Cantabria and northern Castilla y León also possible zones to see a white Christmas by the end of next week.The towns of Burgos and León are among those most likely to record snowfall this Christmas season.

High elevations in Galicia’s Lugo region could see snow from around 600 metres above sea level. In the south, Granada residents should expect snow below the Sierra Nevada, while inland areas of Alicante could also enjoy a white Christmas, particularly in municipalities such as Ibi, Confrides, Agres, and Benimassot.

Major urban centers in central spain, like Madrid, and on the east coast-Barcelon­a and Valencia-are not expected to experience snowfall. The temperature drop is more likely to bring rainfall to the Mediterranean zone and the Balearic Islands. Snow may also boost ski resorts in the Pyrenees and other northern ranges.

Weather patterns across the peninsula

the western iberian Peninsula is forecast to stay cold yet dry, contrasting with wetter conditions anticipated in the Mediterranean belt and Balearics. This winter forecast highlights a mix of frost, localized snow, and periods of rain in areas closest to the sea.

After Christmas: milder odds and regional nuances

Looking beyond Christmas,official guidance suggests there is about a 60 percent chance that December’s tail,January,and Febuary will be milder than usual in most parts of the country. The likelihood of milder conditions is even higher for the Canaries and Balearics. Conversely, the chance that this winter will be colder than normal remains low, at around 10 percent.

Experts note that such forecasts describe seasonal trends rather than a blanket forecast for every day. Fluctuations are possible, and isolated cold days or frost could still occur in some areas this winter.

Why this matters for you

for residents and travelers, tiny shifts in daily planning can matter-from warm clothing and vehicle preparedness to ski-season opportunities in northern ranges. As the season unfolds, updated guidance will help households and businesses adjust to the evolving pattern.

Region / Area	Expected Weather	Notes
Interior of the peninsula	Frost likely	Cold start to Christmas
Mountain ranges	Snow probable	Snow in high elevations across multiple ranges
Northern Castilla y León & interior Cantabria	Possible white Christmas	End-of-week transition possible
Burgos & León	High chance of snow	Among the most likely locations
Lugo (Galicia)	Snow possible at 600m	Alpine-like conditions at mid elevations
Granada	Snow below Sierra Nevada	Limited to lower elevations
Alicante interior	Possible white Christmas	Areas including Ibi, Confrides, agres, Benimassot
Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia	Snow unlikely	Temperatures expected to stay above snow thresholds
Mediterranean & Balearic regions	Increased rainfall risk	Weather remains changeable
Canaries	higher likelihood of milder conditions	More favorable than mainland in coming months
Canary Islands & southwest Iberia	Possibly drier for winter	Regional divergence in rainfall

After Christmas, forecasters stress this is a seasonal outlook, not a daily forecast. Expect variability and stay updated as new data becomes available. The forecast emphasizes a tendency toward milder periods with occasional cold snaps.

Readers, what are your Christmas plans considering this forecast? Do you expect a snowy holiday or a milder, wetter break? Share your plans and experiences in the comments below.

Disclaimer: Weather forecasts can change; always check official updates before travel or outdoor activities.

The high elevations of the Sierra Nevada and Pyrenees on 25 December.

AEMET Forecast Overview – December 2025 snow Outlook

• The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) released its seasonal outlook on 15 December 2025, indicating a ≥ 30 % probability of snow accumulation above 5 cm in several inland and mountainous zones.
• Model consensus (ECMWF, GFS, ICON) shows a persistent cold air mass from the north‑west, combined with moisture from the Atlantic, creating ideal conditions for snowfall from 20 December through 2 January.
• Forecast confidence is highest for the Central System (Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra de Gredos), the Pyrenees, and the Sierra Nevada.

Regions Expected to See Snow – Where to Find a White Christmas

Region	Typical Snow Altitude (m)	Expected Snow Depth (cm)	Key Towns/Villages
Sierra Nevada (Andalusia)	2,500 - 3,400	30 - 80	Pradollano, Monachil
Pyrenees (Catalonia & Aragon)	1,600 - 3,200	20 - 70	Vielha, Benasque, Jaca
Central System – Sierra de Guadarrama	1,300 - 2,300	15 - 40	Cercedilla, Navacerrada
Central System – Sierra de Gredos	1,500 - 2,200	10 - 35	Hoyos del Espino, Navarredonda de Gredos
Cantabrian Mountains (Asturias & León)	1,200 - 2,600	10 - 30	Picos de Europa, Cangas de Onís
Sistema Central – Montes de León	1,200 - 2,000	8 - 25	Valdesaugas, Babia

Note: Snow depth estimates refer to peak accumulation forecasts for 24 - 26 December.

Historical Context – How Often Does Spain Get a White Christmas?

1. Frequency by Region

• Sierra Nevada: Snowy Christmases recorded in 23 of the past 30 years (≈ 77 %).
• pyrenees: Snow cover on ≥ 15 December in 27 years (≈ 90 %).
• Central System: White Christmases less common, with documented events in 1991, 2005, 2012, 2020, and 2024 (≈ 5 times in 30 years).

2. Temperature Benchmarks

• AEMET climatology shows average daily mean temperatures of 0 °C to 2 °C in the high elevations of the Sierra Nevada and Pyrenees on 25 December.
• The Central System typically hovers around 3 °C,but strong cold outbreaks (as forecast for 2025) can push values below ‑ 2 °C,triggering snow.

3. Impact on Tourism

• In 2012, the Sierra Nevada recorded 55 cm of snow, attracting > 150,000 visitors for ski and Christmas markets, generating an estimated €12 million in regional revenue [1].
• The 2020 Pyrenees snow event boosted occupancy rates in mountain hotels by 30 % compared with the 2019 winter season [2].

Practical Travel Tips – Making the Moast of a Spanish White Christmas

• Transport & Road Safety

1. Check AEMET alerts (website or mobile app) before departure; road closures are posted on the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) portal.
2. Equip your vehicle with winter tires (minimum 4 mm tread) or carry snow chains; thay are mandatory on most mountain routes above 1,200 m during snow warnings.
3. Plan option routes: the A‑44 (Granada‑Almería) and A‑92 (Málaga‑Granada) have designated snow‑clearance lanes in the Sierra Nevada.

• Accommodation & Booking
• Reserve early: the best‑rated hotels and ski resorts (e.g., Hotel sierra Nevada, Baqueira‑Beret) reach 90 % occupancy by early December.
• Look for “Christmas package” deals that include ski passes, festive dinner, and night‑time torchlight tours.

• What to Pack
• Layered clothing (thermal base, fleece, waterproof outer).
• Insulated boots with anti‑slip soles (rated ≥ 200 mm).
• Portable power bank (cold temperatures drain batteries quickly).

• Activities Beyond Skiing
• Snowshoe trekking in the Parque Natural de los Alcornocales (southern foothills).
• Christmas market tours in Teruel (known for its “Ladrillos de nieve” artisan stalls).
• Stargazing: High‑altitude clear nights in the Sierra de gredos offer Class 1 dark‑sky conditions, ideal for astrophotography.

safety Guidelines – Staying Warm and Protected

• Hypothermia prevention: limit outdoor exposure to ≤ 2 hours without movement; keep a dry layer close to skin.
• Avalanche awareness: In the Pyrenees, consult the Servicio de Prevención de Avalanchas (SPA) – current danger level for 25 December is moderate (Level 2). Carry a beacon, probe, and shovel if venturing off‑piste.
• First‑aid kit essentials: thermal blanket, ibuprofen, and a small supply of oral rehydration salts (dry, cold environments increase fluid loss).

Local Events & Cultural Highlights – Christmas Spirit in Snowy Settings

Event	Date	Location	Highlights
Fiesta de la nieve	22‑27 Dec	pradollano (Sierra Nevada)	Light shows on ski lifts, customary Andalusian Christmas carols performed by Los Gitanos de Granada.
Mercado Navideño de Jaca	23‑31 Dec	Jaca (Aragonese Pyrenees)	Artisan crafts, mulled wine (vino caliente), and a “snow‑castle” built by local schools.
Navidad en la Montaña	24‑26 Dec	Cercedilla (Guadarrama)	Guided snow‑shoe tours, Christmas Eve mass at Ermita de la Virgen del Otero with candlelit procession.
Luminarias de Gredos	25‑28 Dec	Hoyos del Espino (Sierra de Gredos)	1,000 lanterns lining the Cañada Real trail,culminating in a fireworks display over the snow‑capped peaks.

key Takeaways for Readers Planning a Snow‑Filled holiday

• AEMET’s forecast signals a strong chance of snow across the Sierra Nevada, pyrenees, and Central System, offering multiple options for a traditional white Christmas in Spain.
• preparation matters: monitor real‑time weather alerts, equip vehicles for winter conditions, and book accommodations early.
• Beyond skiing, the season brings unique cultural events, snow‑shoeing opportunities, and dark‑sky stargazing that enrich the festive experience.

sources

[1] Sierra Nevada Tourism Board Annual Report 2013, p. 12.

[2] Aragón Winter Tourism Statistics 2020, DGT traffic data.

[3] AEMET Seasonal Outlook – December 2025, official PDF release (15 Dec 2025).