Community & Local Life
Storm Kristin: road closures, peak wind hours and current impact
Published January 29, 2026 | Category: Community
TL;DR: Storm Kristin continues to affect Almeria province with severe wind, rain and snow. Multiple roads remain closed, including a full closure of the A-7 at El Ejido, while inland areas remain under red wind alert. The most dangerous conditions are concentrated around midday and early afternoon.
Storm Kristin: what you need to know
Storm Kristin continues to place heavy strain on infrastructure, transport and daily life across Almeria province. Strong to hurricane-force winds, persistent rainfall and snowfall in higher elevations have led to widespread preventative measures, including road closures, restricted mobility and emergency service activation.
Authorities continue to urge caution, particularly in inland and elevated areas, as weather conditions remain unstable throughout the day.
Current weather situation in Almeria province
According to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), Almeria remains under a combination of red and orange weather alerts, depending on the area.
The Almanzora Valley and Los Vélez districts remain under a red wind alert, indicating an extraordinary level of danger, with gusts locally exceeding 130 km/h. The rest of the province remains under orange alert, with widespread gusts above 100 km/h in exposed areas.
The wind event is prolonged rather than concentrated in a short peak, increasing overall risk, particularly for transport, outdoor activity and temporary structures.
Roads currently closed due to Storm Kristin
Storm Kristin has caused multiple road closures across Almeria province due to flooding, snow accumulation and unsafe wind conditions. Drivers are strongly advised to avoid non-essential travel.
Major routes
- A-7 motorway (El Ejido, km 818): fully closed in both directions due to flooding. All lanes affected.
- A-1178 (Serón – Olula de Castro, km 9–29): closed in both directions due to snow on the road surface.
- AL-3102 (Velefique – Bacares): critical level (red), with restrictions on bus traffic due to snow.
- AL-5405 (Baza – Fiñana, km 24–28.1): fully closed due to snowfall affecting the Granada–Almeria border area.
Urban and secondary roads in Almeria city
As a precautionary measure, the Local Police have closed several roads in Almeria city:
- Níjar road underpass at Avenida del Mediterráneo
- AL-3113 (El Alquián – El Toyo)
- AL-3202 at Rambla del Charco (Costacabana)
- Andarax river crossings connecting Vega de Acá and Vega de Allá
Authorities warn that additional closures may be introduced at short notice if conditions deteriorate further.
Peak wind hours: when conditions are most dangerous
The most hazardous period of the storm is concentrated between late morning and early afternoon.
In the red alert zones of the Almanzora Valley and Los Vélez:
- 06:00–09:00: strong winds already present, particularly in open and elevated terrain.
- 09:00–11:00: rapid intensification, with increasingly violent gusts.
- 11:00–15:00: most critical period, with sustained and potentially hurricane-force winds.
- 15:00–18:00: gradual decrease, though winds remain very strong.
- After 18:00: slow easing, with strong gusts persisting in higher elevations.
In the rest of the province, under orange alert, winds peak around midday, particularly affecting exposed roads, agricultural zones and higher neighbourhoods.
Traffic incidents reported so far
Emergency services have reported multiple traffic incidents linked to Storm Kristin. Fortunately, no injuries have been confirmed at this stage.
Incidents have been reported in municipalities including Níjar, La Mojonera, Adra and Almeria city, involving vehicles leaving the roadway or colliding due to reduced visibility and strong crosswinds.
Authorities stress that even minor incidents can escalate quickly under these conditions, particularly on high-speed or exposed routes.
Wider context: a national weather event
Storm Kristin is not limited to Almeria. The system forms part of a broader weather episode affecting large parts of Spain, with widespread alerts for wind, rain, snow and rough seas.
Across the country, hundreds of roads have been affected by adverse conditions, with multiple regions experiencing snow-related closures and wind-related damage. Preventative school closures and mobility restrictions have been implemented in several autonomous communities.
This broader context helps explain the scale and persistence of the measures currently in place in Almeria province.
Practical advice for residents and travellers
- Avoid unnecessary travel, especially during peak wind hours.
- Do not attempt to cross flooded roads or underpasses.
- Secure loose objects on balconies, terraces and roofs.
- Stay away from trees, scaffolding, power lines and unstable structures.
- Avoid coastal areas, promenades and exposed viewpoints.
- Check official updates before travelling.
Emergency services and road maintenance teams remain on active monitoring as Storm Kristin continues to affect the province.
Outlook
Forecasts indicate that conditions should begin to ease gradually later in the day, although instability may persist in inland and mountainous areas into the evening.
Authorities will continue to assess the situation and lift restrictions progressively as conditions improve.
More information: official weather warnings and forecasts are available from the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET).
For verified local updates on weather alerts, road closures and daily life across the province, see the latest posts in our Community section.
Community & Local Life
Almeria Airport sees strong international growth in early 2026
Published March 13, 2026 | Community
TL;DR: Almeria Airport handled 42,092 passengers in February 2026, with international traffic rising 61% driven by strong demand from the UK market.
Almeria Airport traffic jumps as international flights grow by 61%
Almeria Airport started 2026 with solid passenger growth, driven mainly by a strong increase in international travel. According to data published by Aena, the airport handled 42,092 passengers in February 2026, representing a 2.9% increase compared to February 2025.
This equals a daily average of around 1,503 passengers passing through the airport.
The vast majority of travellers used commercial flights. In total, 42,003 passengers travelled on scheduled services, while the remainder used general or executive aviation.
International travel grows rapidly
The most notable change came from the international market. While domestic routes still dominate traffic, international flights grew sharply.
Out of the total commercial passengers:
- 32,700 passengers travelled between Almeria and other Spanish cities
- 9,303 passengers travelled on international routes
The international segment recorded an impressive 60.8% increase compared to the same month in 2025.
The main driver behind this growth was the UK market. In February alone, 8,915 passengers travelled between Almeria and British destinations — a 77.2% increase year-on-year.
This surge follows the launch of two new winter routes to the United Kingdom: Bristol and Liverpool. Both routes started operating at the beginning of the winter season and significantly boosted international connectivity for the province.
Aircraft movements at the airport
During February, 806 aircraft movements were recorded at Almeria Airport. Of these, 506 were commercial flights, with the remainder consisting of training, private or other aviation activity.
Strong start to 2026 overall
Looking at the first two months of the year combined, Almeria Airport handled 77,470 passengers between January and February 2026. This represents a 6.8% increase compared with the same period in 2025.
During this period:
- 61,964 passengers travelled on domestic routes
- 15,305 passengers travelled internationally
In total, the airport recorded 1,503 aircraft movements in the first two months of the year, of which 962 were commercial operations.
Aena network performance
Across the wider Aena airport network, February 2026 also showed continued growth.
Aena operates 46 airports and two heliports in Spain, along with London Luton Airport and 17 airports in Brazil. Together they handled 25.4 million passengers in February, representing a 3.7% increase compared with February 2025.
The network recorded 218,751 aircraft movements and transported nearly 120,000 tonnes of cargo during the month.
For the first two months of 2026 combined, Aena airports handled more than 51 million passengers, confirming continued growth in air travel across the network.
Within Spain alone, Aena airports handled 20.5 million passengers in February, an increase of 2.8% compared to the same month last year.
According to Aena, a small part of this increase was linked to disruptions in Spain’s high-speed rail network earlier in the year, which temporarily shifted some travellers to air routes between major cities such as Madrid, Málaga, Seville and Barcelona.
Follow the latest local updates, infrastructure developments and community news across the province in our Community section.
Community & Local Life
Wildfire in Carboneras brought under control after rapid response
Published 16 February, 2026 | Category: Community
TL;DR: A wildfire in Carboneras spread quickly through scrubland late this morning due to gusty winds. Fire crews, supported by aerial resources, brought the blaze under control by early afternoon. No injuries or homes were affected.
Wildfire in Carboneras brought under control within hours
A wildfire broke out late this morning in the municipality of Carboneras, prompting a rapid emergency response. The fire started in the Arco de Cortina area, near the village of Llano de Don Antonio, and initially spread quickly across open scrubland.
Strong gusts of wind played a role in the early development of the fire, allowing the flames to move fast through low vegetation such as shrubs and dry grass. Despite the speed of the initial spread, the affected area consisted mainly of open terrain, with no immediate threat to homes or infrastructure.
Emergency response and control
Fire crews were deployed shortly before midday and were supported by additional ground teams and aerial firefighting resources, including a heavy helicopter. A water tanker and local support units assisted operations on the ground.
The combined response allowed crews to stabilise the situation relatively quickly. By early afternoon, the wildfire was reported to be under control, with the area remaining under observation to prevent flare-ups.
No injuries or evacuations reported
No injuries have been reported, and there was no need for evacuations. Authorities confirmed that the fire did not reach residential areas and that no damage to homes has been recorded.
Cause under investigation
The cause of the wildfire is currently unknown. Monitoring continues while the affected area cools and follow-up checks are carried out.
Wildfires in Andalusia are monitored through the regional Infoca system, which provides ongoing updates on active and controlled fires across the region.
While the fire spread rapidly at first due to wind conditions, the swift response prevented further escalation.
For updates on local incidents, disruptions and notable events across the province, follow our latest posts in the Community section.
Community & Local Life
Earthquake near Tabernas felt across Almeria during the night
Published 16 February, 2026 | Category: Community
TL;DR: A shallow earthquake with a magnitude of 4.3 mbLg occurred near Tabernas shortly after midnight. Because of its limited depth, the tremor was clearly felt across large parts of the province, but no damage or injuries have been reported.
Shallow earthquake near Tabernas felt across the province during the night
Shortly after midnight, a noticeable earthquake was felt across several parts of Almeria province. The tremor occurred at around 00:55 and was centred near Tabernas, in the interior of the province.
Residents described a brief but firm movement, often perceived as a sudden jolt rather than a prolonged shaking. In some locations, windows rattled and light objects shifted, and a number of people were woken by the tremor.
Areas where the tremor was felt
Although the epicentre was inland, the earthquake was felt across a wide area. Reports came from coastal municipalities such as Roquetas de Mar and El Ejido, as well as inland areas including Nijar and surrounding towns.
The shaking was brief and no injuries or structural damage have been reported.
How close the epicentre was
The centre of the earthquake was located approximately six kilometres from Tabernas. This relatively short distance, combined with the shallow depth of the event, helps explain why the tremor was felt so clearly in nearby municipalities.
Residents in Huercal de Almeria, closer to the epicentre, as well as in more distant areas such as Vera, reported being woken by the movement. In both cases, the shaking was described as brief but firm rather than prolonged.
Magnitude and depth
The earthquake had a magnitude of 4.3 mbLg, a regional magnitude scale commonly used in southern Europe and broadly comparable to what is often referred to as the Richter scale.
The event was classified as shallow, with a depth of only a few kilometres. Depth is a key factor in how earthquakes are experienced: shallow earthquakes tend to feel stronger at the surface than deeper ones of similar magnitude, as less energy is absorbed before reaching ground level.
Seismic context
Almeria lies within one of the more seismically active zones of southern Spain, linked to the broader interaction between tectonic plates in the western Mediterranean. Small earthquakes occur regularly, although most go unnoticed due to their depth or limited magnitude.
Events like this one stand out mainly because people actually feel them. While unsettling, they are considered part of the normal geological behaviour of the region. Several minor tremors have already been recorded in the province this month, indicating ongoing but typical seismic activity rather than an isolated incident.
Key facts at a glance
- Magnitude: 4.3 mbLg (moderate, clearly felt indoors)
- Depth: Shallow (a few kilometres), increasing surface impact
- Location: Near Tabernas, with effects across much of the province
- Impact: No reported injuries or material damage
For those who want to follow seismic activity more closely, the Spanish National Geographic Institute provides a public, continuously updated overview of earthquakes recorded across the country, including maps and timelines.
For local incidents, unusual events and notable developments across the province, follow the latest updates in our Community section.
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