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Some areas of Spain could see temperatures as low as -1C(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\nIrish holidaymakers in Spain are being warned to expect unusual weather, with Storm Francis set to bring heavy rain and rare snow to popular resorts from January 3 onwards.Some areas of Spain could see temperatures as low as -1C(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Many Irish people are making the most of their Christmas<\/a> and New Year holidays<\/a> by escaping the winter chill at home and heading to Spain<\/a> – however unusual weather<\/a> is now threatening their breaks.<\/p>\n Storm Francis has officially been named by Spain’s meteorological agency AEMET, which has issued a series of weather warnings affecting several resorts hugely popular with Irish tourists. Forecasters have explained that the weather system behind the disruption is currently an isolated cold low over the eastern Azores. In the coming days, it will move toward the Gulf of Cadiz, carrying warm, humid air over the Canary Islands and then across mainland Spain.<\/p>\n At the same time, high pressure in the North Atlantic and a stationary low over Scandinavia will channel northerly winds carrying an Arctic air mass over Spain from January 3 onwards. This unusual combination of weather patterns is expected to bring heavy rain in the Canary Islands and southern and eastern Spain, with “significant” snow<\/a> at mid-elevations. AEMET says snow could even reach central and lower areas, and in the northeast of the country, low-level snowfall “cannot be ruled out”.<\/p>\n In an update today, AEMET advised Irish tourists heading to affected areas to keep an eye on forecasts, explaining: “Due to the high level of uncertainty regarding the evolving situation and the potential impact on outdoor activities in the coming days, close monitoring of forecast updates is recommended.” Giving a day by day breakdown of what to expect, the forecaster said: “Today, Storm Francis is expected to affect the Canary Islands, bringing southwesterly winds to coastal areas with very strong gusts, as well as locally heavy and persistent thunderstorms that will move from west to east throughout the day and into the early hours of tomorrow.<\/p>\n “Strong winds will persist in exposed areas and mid-altitude zones until the middle of the 3rd. On the Iberian Peninsula, after a few days of relative stability with scattered showers in the Cantabrian region and the western third of the peninsula, increased instability is likely from the 3rd onwards in areas of the southern and southeastern thirds, with showers that could be locally heavy and persistent in areas of the Gulf of C\u00e1diz, the Strait of Gibraltar, the Costa del Sol, and Cabo de La Nao.<\/p>\n “On the 4th and 5th, the potential interaction with the cold air mass could bring snowfall to mid- to low-lying elevations in the southeastern quadrant of the Iberian Peninsula, with the highest probability and accumulations expected in the eastern Iberian System, the eastern part of the southern plateau, the mountain ranges of the Valencian Community, and the area around the Baetic System. It is possible that snowfall will extend, with less intensity, to other areas of the Iberian System, the central peninsula, and the northeastern third of the peninsula. Additionally, snow showers are expected at mid-elevations in the Cantabrian area.<\/p>\n “From the 6th onwards, the most likely scenario is that precipitation will decrease in intensity and extent in southern areas, although it could still be locally heavy in the Strait of Gibraltar and Melilla, while snowfall will become restricted to mountainous areas, especially in the northern third of the peninsula.”<\/p>\n Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click<\/strong> this link<\/strong> <\/a>to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you\u2019re curious, you can read our<\/strong> Privacy Notice<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n