Sea storm hits Med coast
Ploughs sent out to shift snow from the roads in the north of the region
STORM Isaack brought snow, heavy rain, high winds and huge waves to eastern Spain this week.
The Mediterranean storm formed in the sea on Monday and moved in a westerly direction, creating strong winds from the north east.
As well as creating large waves which pounded the coast, mountain ranges from the Pyrenees as far south as Granada were covered in thick snow.
Alicante university climatology lab reported that heavy snow had fallen on the province’s highest mountain, Aitana, reaching a depth of 40cm near the summit by yesterday (Thursday) morning.
Menejador mountain and the Font Roja natural park in Alcoy were also covered with a white blanket, with depths of around 20cm reported in high areas.
However, it was in Castellón province where roads were most affected, with snow ploughs working flat out in mountainous areas, clearing the way for traffic and residents.
Regional secretary for emergencies José María Ángel said on Tuesday that all the procedures had been activated to ‘minimise the risks on the roads’.
A school bus had become stuck in the snow at Vistabella in Castellón on Monday and seven pupils onboard were returned to their homes by the Guardia Civil and firefighters.
The north of Alicante province had been on yellow alert for heavy rain on Wednesday.
Forecast
The ‘recovery’ of temperatures will be slow, according to the forecast from state weather agency AEMET.
Today (Friday) will remain chilly with highs of 13°C likely in both Torrevieja and Jávea. Both municipalities will see that figure rise to 16°C on Monday.
However, the nights in the south of Alicante province will not be as cold in coastal areas, with minimums of 11°C in Torrevieja from Monday, although Jávea will continue to record lows in single figures, according to AEMET.
Although precipitation will become more scarce, it will fall as snow above 900 metres in Alicante province today, with more snow possible on Tuesday in high mountain areas.