Storm Ingrid is tearing across southwestern Europe and the North Atlantic this weekend, battering Spain and the United Kingdom with snow, torrential rain, powerful winds and dangerous seas that are wreaking havoc on transport networks and coastal communities.

Meteorologists in Spain, Portugal and the UK have issued some of the most serious weather warnings of the winter as the deep Atlantic low drives polar air over the Iberian Peninsula before curving toward the British Isles, bringing a volatile mix of blizzards, flooding and severe coastal swell that is already disrupting travel on land, sea and in the air.

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Red alerts, polar air and a rapidly deepening storm

Storm Ingrid was named earlier this week by meteorological agencies on the Iberian Peninsula as a vigorous Atlantic system strengthened on a powerful jet stream and moved east toward Europe. By Friday 23 January, Spain’s state weather agency had placed swathes of the north and northwest under snow and wind alerts, while Portugal’s Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere escalated its warnings to red in several northern and coastal districts in anticipation of heavy snowfall and towering waves.

Forecasters describe Ingrid as one of the most impactful storms of the 2025 to 2026 winter season so far, not only because of its intensity but because of its broad geographic footprint. A surge of cold polar maritime air is plunging south over the Iberian Peninsula, colliding with moist Atlantic air to produce heavy, often convective snow showers at increasingly low elevations. At the same time, Ingrid’s tight pressure gradient is whipping up gales over the open Atlantic, sending long, powerful swell into the coasts of Galicia, northern Portugal and, later, southwestern England and Wales.

Across northern Spain and Portugal, snow levels have dropped sharply from around 800 metres to as low as 300 to 500 metres, bringing wintry conditions to many towns and smaller cities not accustomed to sustained snowfall. In the mountains, accumulations of 20 to 30 centimetres are expected, with higher totals on some peaks. The combination of drifting snow, ice and gusty winds is creating near whiteout conditions in exposed areas and making many roads treacherous or impassable.

Further north, the UK Met Office has followed suit with a patchwork of yellow and amber alerts for heavy rain, gales and hill snow across parts of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland as Ingrid’s frontal systems sweep in from the southwest. Forecasters warn that the storm could deliver 40 to 50 millimetres of rain in the wettest spots, with even higher totals possible over upland areas, while gusts in coastal regions are expected to reach gale force at times.

Roads closed and lorries stranded as Spain’s highways grind to a halt

Spain’s traffic authority has taken the unusual step of imposing sweeping restrictions on heavy goods vehicles across several major corridors, transforming some of the country’s busiest motorways into miles of parked trucks and frustrated drivers. Since Thursday night, vehicles weighing more than 7,500 kilograms have been barred from key stretches of routes leading into Galicia and other snowbound regions in an effort to prevent jack-knifed lorries and multi-vehicle pileups.

On the A 52 motorway into Galicia, hundreds of lorries have been forced to halt in Zamora province, many diverted into service areas where queues of stationary trucks now stretch for kilometres. Drivers report delays of up to seven hours as authorities wait for ploughs and gritters to improve conditions and for the heaviest showers to pass. Smaller incidents, including minor collisions and vehicles stuck on inclines, have been reported on secondary roads across Castilla y León, Asturias and Cantabria.

The Directorate General of Traffic has repeatedly urged motorists to avoid unnecessary journeys, warning that snowfall, gusty winds and rapidly falling temperatures could quickly turn even main highways hazardous. Officials are advising those who must travel to equip their vehicles with snow chains or winter tyres, carry warm clothing and emergency supplies, and monitor real-time updates before setting off. Emergency services have been mobilised to assist stranded motorists, but authorities emphasise that prevention is the best way to avoid dangerous rescues in blizzard-like conditions.

In southern Spain, the impact of Ingrid is most acutely felt in inland Andalusia, where snow has closed or partially cut several provincial roads in Cádiz, Córdoba and Seville following a period of heavy rain and localized flooding. Regional officials have activated pre emergency protocols for flooding in parts of Andalusia, reflecting concerns that saturated ground and overflowing streams could worsen if further downpours coincide with snowmelt over the weekend.

Supply chains and supermarket shelves under pressure

The domino effect of Spain’s road closures and truck bans is beginning to hit the country’s supply chains, particularly for food and essential goods. Supermarket associations warn that if lorry traffic cannot resume swiftly, some stores may begin to see gaps on shelves in the coming days, especially in regions heavily dependent on deliveries from distribution hubs in the north and centre of the country.

Industry groups representing large supermarket chains say restrictions that took effect from midnight on Friday 23 January have already wiped out thousands of operating hours for logistics fleets. While insisting that current stock levels remain generally adequate, they caution that the just in time nature of modern food distribution leaves little room for prolonged disruption. Several operators argue that in some areas roads were still drivable when blanket heavy goods bans were imposed, and they are calling for a more targeted approach that balances road safety with the need to keep critical supplies moving.

The Balearic Islands are an early flashpoint for these concerns. Ferry links between mainland ports and islands such as Mallorca and Menorca are vulnerable to both road and maritime disruption, and some sailings have already been curtailed or placed under review due to Ingrid’s gales and high seas. Retailers warn that if lorries cannot reach the ports or if services are suspended for extended periods, island communities could experience short term shortages of fresh produce and other perishable goods.

Ports along Spain’s north and northwest coasts are also operating under strict safety protocols as Ingrid’s swell builds. Authorities are monitoring conditions around Galicia and the Cantabrian coast, where waves of up to nine metres are expected. Operations on exposed quays and ferry terminals may be temporarily halted during the worst of the storm, further constraining the movement of goods and passengers.

Snow reaches the Costa del Sol as southern Spain sees rare winter scenes

While northern Spain bears the brunt of Ingrid’s snowstorms, the system’s reach has extended far south, delivering rare winter scenes along parts of the usually mild Costa del Sol and the hills of Cádiz and Málaga provinces. By Saturday morning, fresh snow was reported on ranges such as the Sierra Bermeja near Estepona and the Sierra de Grazalema, dusting the peaks above popular coastal resorts that typically market themselves on year round sunshine.

The state weather agency has issued yellow alerts for snowfall in inland areas of Granada and Jaén, including well known rural and mountain zones. Forecasts call for several centimetres of snow at elevations that occasionally see wintry weather but rarely in such a dynamic, showery pattern. Local authorities are warning that while the snowfall may be picturesque, it can also catch drivers unprepared on winding mountain roads and rural routes that lack the winter maintenance seen in northern provinces.

Regional emergency services in Andalusia say snow and ice are already affecting traffic on a number of secondary roads and advise anyone heading into the interior to check road conditions in advance and to be prepared for sudden deterioration. Photographs and videos shared on social media show white covered hills above sunlit coastal towns, illustrating the sharp contrast in conditions over relatively short distances as Ingrid’s cold air interacts with local terrain.

For tourism operators along the Mediterranean coast, the storm’s immediate effect is more about disruption than long term damage. Outdoor events, guided excursions and some rural tourism activities have been cancelled or postponed, and coastal promenades are being patrolled to discourage people from approaching the surf line as waves increase. However, hoteliers say most visitors are choosing to wait out the worst of the weather, with many inland day trips replaced by spa visits and indoor attractions until skies clear.

Portugal’s red alerts and rough seas echo across the region

Neighboring Portugal is facing its own severe impacts from Ingrid, which is delivering a combination of heavy snow in the north and extremely rough seas along the Atlantic coast. The national meteorological service has placed key northern districts under red warnings for snow, with accumulation forecasts similar to those across the border in Spain. Mountain roads are expected to become hazardous or impassable at times, and authorities have warned against non essential trips into higher elevations.

Perhaps the most dramatic element of Ingrid’s Portuguese phase is the ocean swell. A red maritime alert covers much of the western coastline, where waves of seven to nine metres are expected, with occasional sets reaching up to 15 metres in the open Atlantic. Civil protection agencies are strongly urging residents and tourists to stay away from breakwaters, cliffs and exposed promenades, warning that large waves can unexpectedly wash over coastal defences and sweep people or vehicles into the sea.

Local councils in several coastal towns have pre emptively closed waterfront car parks, seafront roads and beach access points as a precaution. Fishing fleets are largely staying in port, and port authorities have imposed restrictions on small craft. For coastal communities whose winter economy depends in part on fishing and maritime trade, even a short suspension of activity can have meaningful financial consequences, particularly after a sequence of recent storms that have already dented earnings.

Travel disruption in Portugal is spilling over into cross border tourism flows as well. Tour operators that run itineraries through northern Portugal and Galicia are revising schedules, re routing coach tours away from high mountain passes and warning clients that last minute changes are likely. Some international rail and long distance bus services linking Portuguese cities with Spain and France are operating with delays or have contingency plans in place if conditions worsen.

UK braces for flooding, power cuts and transport delays

As Ingrid tracks northeast toward the British Isles, the UK is bracing for a messy weekend of heavy rain, strong winds and localized snow. The Met Office has issued yellow and amber alerts across parts of southwest England, south Wales and Northern Ireland, where the first frontal bands are crossing, and further warnings extend into other regions as the system moves inland. Authorities caution that the combination of saturated ground and intense bursts of rainfall could trigger flash flooding in prone areas and swelling of rivers already running high after a wet start to the year.

Environment agencies have already raised dozens of flood warnings and alerts for catchments across England and Wales, particularly in the southwest and along coastal rivers where high tides and storm surge could exacerbate flooding. Communities in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset have been urged to prepare for possible road closures, surface water flooding and, in some cases, the need to move vehicles and valuables to higher ground. Coastal roads such as low lying causeways are at risk of temporary closure during high tide peaks.

Transport operators anticipate significant disruption as Ingrid’s winds pick up. Rail companies are imposing precautionary speed restrictions on some main lines, especially those exposed to the coast or running through wooded corridors where trees may fall onto tracks. In aviation, low cloud, strong crosswinds and heavy rain are likely to cause delays and occasional diversions at airports in the storm’s path, though widespread cancellations are not expected unless conditions deteriorate further.

Road networks face the familiar hazards of winter storms: standing water, poor visibility, high sided vehicles vulnerable to gusts and the potential for snow and ice at higher elevations in Wales, northern England and Scotland. Highway agencies are deploying gritters and response teams in anticipation of problems and are urging drivers to consider whether journeys can be postponed. Local councils are preparing rest centres and checking emergency plans in case flooding or power outages displace residents or cut off vulnerable communities.

Coastal warnings and advice for travellers

Across both Spain and the UK, the most emphatic warnings attached to Ingrid concern the coast. Marine agencies highlight the danger posed by large, unpredictable waves combined with strong onshore winds that can send water, foam and debris over sea walls and promenades. In recent years, several winter storms have resulted in injuries and fatalities to people who ventured too close to the surf line during peak swell, and authorities are determined to avoid a repeat.

In Spain, yellow and orange warnings for waves extend along much of the Atlantic and Cantabrian coasts, with some red alerts in place for Galicia as Ingrid’s swell peaks. Local governments have closed or cordoned off sections of exposed seafronts, advising residents to watch the conditions from a safe distance, if at all. Lifeguard services, even in off season, are issuing messages urging surfers, anglers and photographers not to underestimate the power of the sea in storm conditions.

UK coastal communities face similar threats. In southwest England and south Wales, Ingrid is expected to drive a storm surge that, while not extreme in height, arrives on top of already elevated tide cycles. Coastal roads, harbours and seafront promenades could see waves overtopping defences, with shingle and debris washed onto carriageways. Harbourmasters are working with fishing fleets and marina operators to secure vessels and pontoons, and some coastal car parks are closing at high tide as a precaution.

For travellers, experts advise close attention to forecasts and transport updates over the coming days. Those planning coastal walks are being urged to postpone outings, while visitors with flexible itineraries are encouraged to shift activities inland or reschedule travel to avoid the peak of the storm. Insurance providers remind holidaymakers that ignoring official weather warnings may affect coverage if they knowingly put themselves or their property in harm’s way during severe weather events.

Tourism sector adapts as winter weather reshapes travel plans

The combined effect of Ingrid’s snow, rain and coastal hazards is being felt keenly across the tourism sector in Spain, Portugal and the UK, though operators emphasise that disruption varies significantly by region. Popular city break destinations such as Madrid, Barcelona and London remain open for business, with museums, theatres and restaurants operating as normal, even as travellers contend with delayed trains or flights. In contrast, rural and coastal tourism providers face more immediate challenges as outdoor excursions are curtailed and access roads become unreliable.

In northern Spain, rural guesthouses and ski resorts are experiencing a complicated mix of opportunity and difficulty. Fresh snow boosts the appeal of mountain destinations, but unsafe travel conditions make it harder for guests to arrive, and avalanche and wind risks may temporarily close some slopes. Some operators report last minute cancellations from domestic travellers unwilling to risk driving long distances in deteriorating conditions, while others say they are fielding enquiries from visitors hoping to extend stays if return journeys are delayed.

Along Britain’s southwest coast, hotels and holiday parks report a flurry of calls from guests asking whether to travel this weekend or postpone their stays. Many establishments are offering flexible rebooking policies to maintain goodwill, recognising that scenes of flooded roads or storm lashed promenades can deter last minute visitors. At the same time, off season coastal towns that rely on winter walking and nature tourism are working to reassure would be travellers that the disruption, though serious, is expected to be temporary and that conditions should improve once Ingrid moves away.

For international travellers planning multi country itineraries through the region, Ingrid serves as a timely reminder of the value of flexible, refundable bookings and robust travel insurance in the heart of the European storm season. As meteorologists track the system’s progress across the North Atlantic and deeper into northern Europe in the coming days, officials stress that while the worst of the impacts will be concentrated in a relatively short window, the after effects on transport networks and coastal infrastructure may linger well after the skies begin to clear.