Yellow Weather Alert As Snow Hits Madrid & Much Of Spain

Heavy snowfall hit Madrid this morning causing widespread travel disruption for commuters trying to work as Storm Kristin hit the capital.

The A-1, A-2 and A-6 motorways were particularly badly hit while the C8 and C10 Cercanias trainlines suffered delays and cancelations.

The Madrid regional authorities activated its winter emergency plan, with de-icing and salt lorries in operation from the early hours of this morning.

According to Spain’s weather agency, AEMET, Storm Kristin is affecting every part of Spain.

Andalucía, has been particulary badly affected with roads closed and high winds across the region. One woman was reported to have been killed in Malaga due to being hit by a tree branch.

In the province of Granada many roads were closed by the heavy snowfall.

11 people, including three children, were rescued after becoming trapped in their cars by heavy snow in the municipality of Huescar.

The group became stranded in separate vehicles after snowfall of between 30 and 50 centimetres (11 and 19 inches) blocked roads in the Sierra de Castril and Sierra Seca areas.

According to rescue officials, one family of four, including an 11-year-old child, spent the night inside their vehicle without food or water after becoming stuck while travelling toward the Prado del Conde refuge.

Mountain rescue teams reached the area by helicopter and evacuated the family in two separate airlifts, with all occupants reported to be in good health.

The rescued family informed officers that they had planned to meet another group of seven people and did not know their whereabouts.

A second search operation was launched, with mountain rescue officers travelling on foot for more than an hour in severe weather to locate two additional vehicles.

The icy conditions are forecast to continue for the rest of the week with Madrid facing high winds and heavy rain.