Rainy Weather Looms Over Holy Week Plans in Spain

VALENCIA, Spain — Spain is bracing for a week of unstable weather during Holy Week, with the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) predicting widespread rain across much of the country. This forecast mirrors last year’s conditions and is largely attributed to a cold front named Olivier that is expected to bring localized heavy rainfall, particularly to the northern and western regions, and less intense precipitation to the southeastern area.

Starting early Monday morning, rain will begin in the Balearic Islands and the northeastern tip of the peninsula, with the potential for scattered showers to develop throughout the day. The rain is expected to intensify, impacting much of the territory later in the day. Areas along the Atlantic coast of Galicia, along with the northeastern peninsula, may experience locally severe downpours accompanied by gusty winds.

Aemet reports possible morning mist and dense fog in inland regions, while snowfall is anticipated in northern mountain ranges, with elevations above 1,800 to 2,000 meters. In the northwest, snow levels may drop as low as 1,200 to 1,600 meters. Temperatures are forecasted to rise in the high Ebro river basin, the Basque Country, and parts of Galicia, while a noticeable drop is expected in the northeastern peninsula and the Atlantic side.

On Tuesday, after the passage of the front, a polar air mass is forecast to sweep across the country, leading to a decline in temperatures and a lowered snowfall threshold, which may be between 900 and 1,200 meters. Significant snowfalls are expected in the main mountain systems as the state of instability persists through Wednesday.

Westerly winds are expected to strengthen, with the possibility of coastal storms in the Cantabrian and Alborán regions, and strong wind gusts in eastern interior areas of the peninsula. In the Canary Islands, trade winds will continue to dominate, with a slight chance of light rain in the northern regions.

Thursday looks to provide a reprieve as high pressure settles in—allowing for drier conditions and rising temperatures, except in Galicia, where a new low-pressure system could bring additional rain. However, forecasts for Friday and Saturday indicate that this front will make its way across Spain, potentially resulting in further precipitation and a drop in temperatures.

Regarding the weather in Jávea during Holy Week in 2025, uncertainty remains high. Residents and visitors should expect predominantly cloudy skies with occasional rain. Aemet has updated forecasts, indicating temperatures will range between 10 and 24 degrees Celsius, with humidity hovering between 40% and 100% throughout the week.

This week’s detailed forecast for Jávea highlights Thursday, when the sky will start off mostly clear, with temperatures hitting a minimum of 10 degrees Celsius by morning. Conditions are expected to worsen in the late afternoon and evening with increased cloud cover and a slight chance of rain.

Moving into the weekend, Friday will likely be overcast with low precipitation chances, while Saturday brings higher chances of intermittent rain. The weather could deteriorate further on Sunday with moderate rain, while temperatures are predicted to stay mild. Forecasts suggest the potential for rain to return on Monday, April 14, with temperatures possibly reaching up to 24 degrees Celsius.

The situation in Seville reflects a similar sentiment as cofrades are attentively monitoring weather forecasts amid fears of rain disrupting Holy Week processions. Francisco Vélez, president of the Council of Brotherhoods, sought to ease concerns by stating that forecasts seemed less alarming than initially presented.

Despite early worries about rain, local officials remain hopeful for favorable conditions conducive to outdoor processions during this significant religious period. Aemet officials noted potential improvements in weather by late afternoon, but the outlook remains variable throughout the week.