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It’s been quite a week in Spain, with temperatures more reminiscent of May than March. Monday March 13 was the warmest day for that date since 1950 across Spain and many parts of the country hit a scorching 30ºC. On the other hand, parts of Galicia, the Pyrenees and Cantabria were battered by strong winds and driving rain, while much of the north was under a blanket of dark clouds.

 

"The temperatures in general above the normal average for the time of year will probably continue during the remainder of March, especially in the east of the peninsula," the experts at the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) have predicted, although we’re in for a bit of a change this coming weekend.

 

Most areas will experience a dramatic drop in temperatures on Thursday March 16, most notable along the west coast, although the day will still be bright and sunny for the most part. The west will become more overcast as the day goes on though and weak rainfall that will begin in Galicia could travel further in the evening.

 

The southeast of Spain and the Balearic Islands will remain clear and the night-time temperatures will climb, hitting a balmy 11ºC in Alicante.

 

Friday March 17 will dawn cloudy in most of Spain with heavy rain forecast in western Galicia, which could spread weakly to the western part of the country in the afternoon. The cloud cover will increase as the day goes on, although the Mediterranean coast will remain mostly sunny.

 

The day-time temperatures will drop for the most part, remaining in the low to mid 20s in Malaga and Murcia. The decline will be most notable inland, although the night will again be very mild.

Intervals of strong southwesterly winds have put Asturias and Galicia on alert, while a yellow warning for rough seas has been issued in Catalonia.

 

The thermometers will take another nosedive on Saturday March 18, particularly in the east, although the night-time temperatures will continue to rise in the southeast, falling in the west of Andalucía. Weak frosts are expected in the Pyrenees and locally in other mountainous areas of the country.

 

The Mediterranean coast will be dry throughout Saturday and what little rain hits the north should subside by the end of the day. Mostly clear skies once more with some high clouds forecast in Galicia, western Asturias and the extreme northwest of Castilla y León.

 

It will be a breezy day overall although the winds could be more intense on the northern coast and along the Andalucían Mediterranean.

 

Very little change is expected as we move into Sunday March 19. It will be overcast and showery in the north of Spain, but some light rain could make its way down to the mountains of Andalucía too. Sunday will start of rather cloudy along the Mediterranean coast but this should clear towards the afternoon, giving way to slightly warmer temperatures that should tip 23ºC in Malaga and Murcia.

 

Variable, light winds are expected for the most part but easterly gusts can be expected along the coast.

 

 

Image 1: Aemet