Storm Francis: Path and Initial Impact
As the fifth high-impact storm of the season, Francis made its initial landfall in the Canary Islands on January 1, 2026. The storm brought widespread rain across the archipelago, with heavy downpours in some areas, accompanied by a noticeable drop in temperatures.
Weekend Weather Outlook
Heading into the weekend, the storm will move towards the Iberian Peninsula. According to the forecast, on Friday, January 2, the storm will reach the western part of the peninsula, bringing light rain to Galicia, Extremadura, and Andalusia. Rainfall may be more intense in the provinces of Málaga and Cádiz. Meanwhile, foggy conditions will persist in Aragon and Catalonia. By Saturday, January 3, the weather will stabilize, characterized mainly by cloudy skies and falling temperatures, though rain is still possible in Andalusia and along the Cantabrian coast.
Eve of Three Kings’ Day: A Sharp Drop in Snow Level
The most significant change in this weather event will occur on the eve of Three Kings’ Day. Starting Sunday, January 4, the snow level on the peninsula will begin to drop. By Monday, January 5, the eve of the holiday, the snow line is expected to plummet to an altitude of 300 to 400 meters. This means large areas of central Spain could see snowfall, with forecasts specifically highlighting a very high probability of snow in the capital, Madrid, and its surrounding cities.
Nationwide Temperature Drop and Key Affected Areas
In addition to snow, Storm Francis will also bring a significant, widespread temperature drop across the Iberian Peninsula, with the central and eastern regions being particularly affected. The areas where the snow level is expected to fall to low altitudes include: the Community of Madrid, Castile-La Mancha, southern Aragon, the province of Soria, La Rioja, as well as the inland areas of the Valencian Community, Murcia, and Catalonia.
