Downpours, high winds and stormy seas are set to blight the holiday plans of thousands of UK tourists heading to Spain in the coming days. Popular destinations from the Canary islands to mainland Spain and the Balearics have all been hit by the adverse conditions in recent days.
Expats resident in Benidorm on the Costa Brava said the prolonged period of rain and winds is the worst for more than 20 years, while Majorca has also been hit by bead weather including snow flurries on high ground. But the good news is conditions are predicted to begin improving in the coming days as a mass influx of British visitors arrives for the Easter period.
A polar front will arrive in the region on Friday with a risk of snow down to 700 metres. The Aemet weather forecast agency stated: "April will begin with unpleasant winter weather: cold, snow, wind and rough seas."
Minimum temperatures will range between 4C-14C - well shy of the usual values from the high teens C in the mainland and Balearics to the low 20s C in the Canary Islands. However, there is confidence that the sun will return in time for a bumper Easter period.
The April break is set to be the first major holiday season in Spain since the pandemic was declared more than two years ago. Hoteliers in Benidorm have expressed "confidence" after reporting positive booking figures for the upcoming season.
Many hotels are expected to reopen in the resort in time for the spring period, which is likely to be busy. There is similar optimism in the Balearics and Canaries.
However, some hotels are still reeling from a trucking strike which led to shortages of essential items, including building supplies to complete refurbishment schemes. Supermarkets are also rationing some essential items with shelves bare in some regions.
Many of the shortages have been blamed on the ongoing lorry drivers' strike over soaring diesel prices, which began on March 14 and has restricted supplies of milk, flour, rice and other basic goods. The war in Ukraine has also hit supplies of sunflower oil.
Meanwhile, Spain has extended its entry rules for UK arrivals until the end of April which means that visitors from the UK, who must either be fully vaccinated or have a valid recovery certificate. All over 18s must be fully vaccinated and can only enter within 270 days of their second jab, or if they have had a booster.
British teenagers aged between 12-17 can enter Spain if they are unvaccinated but will need a negative PCR test from the last 72 hours. Anyone travelling to Spain, regardless of vaccination status, will also be required to fill out a pre-travel form and obtain a QR code to allow entry to the country.
