Two people died in Spain and troops rescued drivers trapped by snow as Storm Filomena caused travel chaos across the country, with Madrid seeing the heaviest snowfall in decades. Heavy snowfall from Storm Filomena caused travel chaos across Spain and Madrid airport remained closed.
The airport in Madrid was closed and skiers glided down Gran Via, normally one of the busiest streets in the capital.
“Owing to the forecast of snow and for security, Madrid Barajas airport will remain closed throughout Saturday,” Aena, which controls the country’s airports, said in a tweet.
The airport was closed on Friday night after the rare blizzard made flying impossible. At least 50 flights to Madrid, Malaga, Tenerife and Ceuta, a Spanish territory in north Africa, were cancelled, Aena said. “Flights are being diverted from Madrid Barajas airport. Consult your airline for the state of your flight,”
The State Metereological Agency said it was the biggest snowfall in Madrid since 1971, while José Miguel Viñas, a metereologist from Spanish National Radio, said that between 25 cm and 50 cm (10-20 inches) fell in Madrid, making it the largest snowfall since 1963. A record temperature of -35.6 degrees C (-32 degrees Fahrenheit) was recorded at Vega de Lourdes in Leon, northern Spain, the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) said.
Soldiers worked to reach drivers stranded for hours on roads around Madrid.
“We continue the rescue of vehicles on the A4, A5, M40 and M607,” tweeted the Unit for Military Emergencies, which deployed 147 soldiers.
High-speed rail services between Madrid and the south-eastern cities of Alicante and Valencia were suspended, as were bus services in Madrid, the city council said on Saturday.
Madrid and four other regions were on red alert on Saturday as more heavy snowfalls were forecast, the State Meteorological Agency said. Madrid city council called on people to stay at home.
However, some people welcomed the chance to have fun in the snow.
Skiers glided through the Puerta del Sol plaza in central Madrid, and a social media video showed a man on a sled driving a pack of dogs through the streets of the capital.
Real Madrid football team, headed to Pamplona for a match against La Liga rivals Osasuna, were left waiting on a plane for four hours at Madrid airport before their flight took off.
Madrid and eight provinces were under the most severe weather advisory for the first time since the system was created in 2007.
Large parks in the capital, including the Retiro next to the Prado museum, were closed as a precaution.
“I have come out to see and enjoy the snow. There is very little else to do these days (because of the pandemic),” said Juan Jose, 24, a marketing executive, outside Retiro Park.
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