Cold front bringing in short burst of unseasonal weather

The Aemet meteorology agency reports that a cold front crossing Spain will bring about an "extraordinary" drop in temperatures - by up to fifteen degrees in northern parts of the mainland.

The change started yesterday on the peninsula, and will certainly be evident in Majorca and the Balearics by tomorrow, if not today. In mountainous areas, temperatures will struggle to make double figures during the day. Highs elsewhere are likely to be no more than 15 or 16 degrees. Some snow is expected for the highest peaks, while rain, accompanied by some stiff winds, is possible almost anywhere.

In certain parts of the mainland, temperatures will fall below zero. In the Cantabrian mountains, the snow line will be down to 600 metres.

Fortunately, there will be some general improvement on Friday. Temperatures will be back up to around 20 or 21 degrees on the coasts by Saturday - perhaps higher in some areas - though it is likely to be quite breezy and, at times, cloudy.