Alert for Snow and Rain: DGT's Advice

Rain will affect the southern part of the Peninsula in the coming hours. In these areas, avoid driving, do not travel through potentially flood-prone areas, and avoid entering waterways or areas with moving water. Additionally, the DGT warns of significant snowfall over the weekend.

Therefore, this organisation reminds drivers to check weather forecasts and road conditions before starting their journey, and to have chains available if necessary, or to have winter or all-weather tyres installed in areas where snow is forecasted.

As in previous instances where snow affects road traffic, the Directorate General of Traffic, to ensure smooth and safe traffic flow, may implement measures such as restrictions on heavy vehicles and other vehicles without winter tyres, all-weather tyres, or chains. Speed limits may also be reduced, overtaking prohibited, total preventive road closures established, and mandatory monitoring of alternative routes enforced.

Traffic is also prepared to activate the 32 automated and monitored truck diversion points if necessary.

In this situation, it is advisable to remember some recommendations that, although known, are not always followed, which help ensure safe driving and assist road maintenance workers.

In this situation, it is essential to know the colours of snow and their driving conditions.

Green Level: The green colour signifies caution. Snow begins to fall. Although traffic is not affected, caution is advised. It is recommended not to exceed a speed of 100 kilometres per hour on motorways and 80 kilometres per hour on other roads. Trucks should drive in the right lane and should not overtake.

Yellow Level: The yellow colour signifies caution. The road begins to be covered with snow. At this level, trucks and articulated vehicles are not allowed to drive. Cars and buses should not exceed a speed of 60 kilometres per hour.

Red Level: The red colour signifies very difficult driving conditions. The road is completely covered with snow. In this situation, which occurs more frequently in mountain passes, driving is only possible with chains or other authorised devices. The maximum recommended speed is 30 kilometres per hour. Buses, trucks, and articulated vehicles are not allowed to drive.

Black Level: This means the road is impassable. The road is impassable for any type of vehicle. There is a clear risk of becoming immobilised on the road.

In this situation, it is advisable to remember some recommendations that, although known, are not always followed, which help ensure safe driving and assist road maintenance workers:

• Leave the left lane free to allow the passage of road maintenance and snowplough vehicles.

• Pay attention to the signage on variable message panels and the instructions of the Civil Guard Traffic Group agents.

• Exercise extreme caution when driving in areas and roads affected by this forecast, and ensure you have the appropriate means and equipment to travel safely, including chains or winter tyres.

According to the AEMET forecast, the most adverse snowfall period will occur from this afternoon and throughout tomorrow in areas of the provinces of Cantabria, León, Asturias, Burgos, Navarra, Huesca, Lleida, Soria, La Rioja, Segovia, Madrid, Guadalajara, Cuenca, and Teruel.

Precipitation may affect not only local and regional roads but also high-capacity roads - motorways and highways, making it essential to know the road conditions before starting a journey.

At this time, several secondary roads are affected by snow, none of them high-capacity, in the provinces of Granada, Asturias, Salamanca, and Navarra. This information can be consulted in detail and in real-time through various channels provided by the DGT, such as radio bulletins, social media: X @DGTes and @informacionDGT; on their website www.dgt.es and by calling 011.

Additionally, this fully updated information is accessible to traffic information providers (navigators) at the national traffic information access point (https://nap.dgt.es/).