Jorge Rey, the 16-year-old Spanish meteorology sensation known for his uncanny predictions based on ancient "cabañuelas" folklore, has issued a stark warning: a huge winter air mass will slam into the Iberian Peninsula this week, ushering in the season's first true cold snap with widespread snow, freezing temperatures, and potential disruptions. And coastal Spain will not escape it.
In his latest video update, Rey declared that the incoming system, arriving as early as November 17, will "bring winter" for real this time and not just to high elevations but also to mid-level altitudes across Spain. "We're not only expecting snow in high snow lines but also in medium ones," he said, highlighting alerts already in place for several towns.
The forecast paints a dramatic change from recent mild conditions. After bidding farewell to Storm Claudia, which battered western Spain over the weekend, residual humidity will linger into Monday in areas like Madrid, western regions, and parts of Andalucia. By Tuesday, it largely dissipates, but Wednesday will be the turning point with moisture creeping into the Cantabrian coast.
Snowfall begins in earnest on Wednesday 19 in mountainous systems of northern and central Spain. Thursday, November 20, emerges as the peak day for cold dominance, particularly in the northern peninsula. "A clear cold front will impose itself," Rey explained, with the chill advancing southward to deliver "completely winter-like extremes".
Cities preparing themselves for significant impacts include:
Friday could intensify the freeze, with renewed flurries in Burgos and Vitoria and intense accumulations in high mountains. Rey cautioned that models still have "many hours" to evolve, meaning the event could strengthen further.
In Soria, for example:
While none of this is massively unusual for this time of year or for these locations, what it means for many readers of Euro Weekly News in coastal locations of Spain is an icy-cold wind that will bring overall temperatures down dramatically. And now with areas such as Granada already receiving their first snowfall of the year, it will be time to get the big coats out very shortly.
"This is the arrival of cold in a clear way to the Iberian Peninsula... the first winter storm of the 2025-26 season," Rey concluded, urging precaution as "things can vary a lot, and even intensify."
Rey, who gained fame for accurately predicting major weather events using traditional methods passed down from shepherds, continues to captivate Spain with his youthful insight. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, with potential travel warnings for affected regions.
Stay tuned for updates, as this developing winter blast could mark an early and harsh start to the season.