The Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) has advised drivers to exercise caution due to an incoming Atlantic front bringing rain and snow starting this Saturday afternoon and throughout Sunday, coinciding with the start of Christmas holidays. Snow accumulations are expected in mountainous areas of several provinces, potentially complicating traffic on highways and secondary roads. The DGT urges planning trips, checking road conditions, and carrying winter equipment.
The special Christmas traffic operation, expecting 22.4 million trips until January 6, is complicated by adverse weather forecasts. According to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), snowfalls will begin this Saturday in the mountains of Lugo, Orense, and the Cantabrian Mountains of León, with flakes possible from 1,000 meters and accumulations of 5 to 10 centimeters. On Sunday, December 21, precipitation will be more intense in provinces such as Lugo, León, Palencia, Burgos, Soria, Segovia, Ávila, Salamanca, La Rioja, Navarra, Zaragoza, Huesca, Cuenca, Guadalajara, Granada, and the Sierra de Madrid.
The DGT has identified the most affected high-capacity roads: A-66/AP-66 (Asturias and León), A-67 (Palencia-Cantabria), A-6/AP-6 (Madrid-León), AP-51 (Ávila), AP-61 (Segovia), A-1 (Madrid-Burgos), A-2 (Madrid-Soria), A-52 (Benavente-Ourense), and A-23 (Huesca-Jaca). It recommends checking road conditions via its website (www.dgt.es), phone 011, social media (@DGTes), or the national traffic information access point (https://nap.dgt.es/).
Among precautions, the DGT emphasizes winter tires, all-season tires, or chains. In case of snowfalls, heavy vehicles without proper equipment could be restricted, speeds limited, overtaking prohibited, or preventive cuts implemented. It has 32 automated diversions for trucks and eight 24-hour traffic management centers. It also stresses keeping the left lane clear for snow plows and paying attention to variable message panels and Guardia Civil officers.
Civil Protection has issued alerts for torrential rains in Badalona and Barcelona areas. The DGT coordinates with the Guardia Civil, AEMET, and the Ministry of Transport to ensure road safety during this high-mobility period.
