Arctic winds force temperatures down to -10ºC inland and 1ºC on the Med

Even on the Mediterranean and south coasts, traditionally the parts of the mainland with the mildest winter temperatures, the mercury is expected to plunge to 1ºC or even to freezing in the early hours.

Inland parts of the warmer east and south are bracing themselves for nights dropping to -4ºC, and many town halls are already setting up temporary shelters for the homeless.

North winds will firstly hit the Catalunya area and gradually spread to the rest of the mainland and Balearic Islands, initially bringing relatively high humidity with it, but which will transform into a much drier climate.

Night and early-morning frost and ice are expected in inland areas, especially in the north and centre of the country, with thermometers plummeting to -5ºC in the central plains and areas of high altitude – even falling into double figures below zero in isolated pockets.

Daytime temperatures are not expected to rise above 5ºC in the northern half of the mainland, and will peak only briefly at between 12ºC and 14ºC on the Mediterranean.

No major snowfall is expected, but snow is forecast to lie thickly at altitudes above approximately 400 metres.

Freezing rain is likely over Thursday night through to the middle of Friday in the east and south-east, especially in the Balearic Islands and across the Alborán Sea, off the coast of the province of Almería.

The Balearics and the Ebro valley could also suffer very strong winds.

Temperatures should be less extreme from Sunday onwards, and cloudless skies are forecast for next week.