Spain: Rain to depart for New Year's Eve festivities

December 28,2015; 10:57PM,EST

 

 

Rain will dampen most of Spain to end 2015 but should depart before revelers ring in the new year Thursday night.
A band of rain accompanying a cold front will sweep from northwest to southeast across Spain Wednesday to Thursday.
The rain will gradually diminish as it traverses the country. Steady rain will target Santiago de Composte on Wednesday, while spotty showers dampen Sevilla, Madrid and Barcelona on Thursday. The rain should completely fizzle out before reaching Malaga.

Enough rain will fall to raise concerns for flash flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas in Galicia. This threat will wane as the rain lessens.
The showers across eastern and southern Spain will generally be light and brief and only cause minor inconveniences to those spending some time outdoors.
Revelers anticipating to ring in the new year will welcome the fact that drier air will arrive on Thursday night. However, another round of showers will follow on New Year's Day.
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Here is a list of three unique New Year's Eve celebrations across Spain and the anticipated weather conditions.
Barcelona
One of the newest New Year's Eve traditions in Spain takes place next to Montjuic's Magic Fountain in Barcelona.
The event starts an hour before midnight and features music, performing arts and a firework display with celebrations continuing though much of the night.
Those in Barcelona to celebrate the new year can expect temperatures to fall to 6 to 8 C (44 to 46 F) at night, followed by a high of 13 to 15 C (55 to 59 F) on New Year's Day. The next round of showers will hold off until Friday afternoon.
Pamplona
Another emerging New Year's Eve tradition has begun to appear in towns such as Pamplona.
Party-goers in this city, as well as in Coin and Najera, dress up in costumes to bid farewell to the old year and to welcome the new year.
This new tradition starts shortly after midnight when droves of people rush into the streets in their costumes, creating an incredibly festive atmosphere that lasts until dawn.
Party-goers may want to wear a warm costume for these celebrations with temperatures at night forecast to fall as low as 1 C (34 F).
A couple stands in a doorway at sunrise wearing fancy dress following New Year celebrations, in Pamplona northern Spain, Sunday, 1 January, 2012. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Estepona
Estepona is home to a more traditional celebration in which people gather around the Plaza del Reloj and are provided with party hats, streamers and balloons.
At midnight, everyone at the plaza partakes in the countrywide grape-eating tradition followed by music and a dazzling fireworks display.
Estepona will be one of the warmest places in the country to bring in the new year with temperatures only dropping down to around 12 C (54 F) Thursday night.
Content contributed by AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski.