You might have heard the term ‘Beast from the East’ floating around lately, especially with a cold snap on the way. But what does it actually mean, and will it affect Spain? Let’s clear things up.

What Is the ‘Beast from the East’?

The ‘Beast from the East’ is a nickname for a weather pattern that brings freezing air from Russia and Siberia into Europe. It became famous during a brutal cold wave in 2018, when heavy snow and icy temperatures hit much of Central Europe. While it’s not an official weather term, it’s often used to describe these kinds of extreme cold spells.

Will Spain Feel the ‘Beast’?

According to the experts, not this time. While Spain is set to get colder starting Friday, February 7, this chill won’t be the ‘Beast from the East.’ Instead, it’s being caused by a shift in the weather patterns over Europe. A high-pressure system near Scandinavia and Russia, combined with low pressure over the Mediterranean, will push colder air from the northeast into Spain.

This means temperatures will drop, especially in the northern and inland parts of the country. Frost and wintry conditions are likely, but it won’t be as severe or long-lasting as the 2018 event.

What Makes a Cold Wave in Spain?

For a cold spell to be called a cold wave in Spain, it has to meet specific rules:

• It must last at least three days in a row.
• At least 10% of weather stations must record temperatures in the bottom 5% for this time of year (based on data from 1971–2000).

This weekend’s cold snap is not supposed to meet that criteria. While it will feel much colder than usual, it won’t be extreme enough to count as a cold wave.

What’s Coming This Week?

The week started off calm and dry for most of Spain, except for some heavy rain and fog in the south. But by Friday, colder air will start moving in from the northeast. This will bring frost and a wintry feel, especially in the northern and central regions.

Temperatures could dip below -5°C in parts of northern Spain, but there’s still some uncertainty about how cold it will get and how long it will last. Meteorologists are watching a weather pattern called the Scandinavian blocking system, which could influence how far south the cold air travels. Some parts of Axarquia in Malaga have already seen more snow than usual on their mountain ranges with towns like Cómpeta waking to some wintery scenes this week.

No Need to Panic

While the ‘Beast from the East’ isn’t heading for Spain, a noticeable cold spell is on the way. Expect frosty mornings and chilly days, particularly in the north and inland areas. It’s time to dig out the winter coats, but don’t worry, this won’t be anything like the extreme cold of 2018. Stay tuned for updates as the weekend approaches!

Main image: X/@irishweatherman