Reconstruction and analysis of 1900–2017 snowfall events on the southeast coast of Spain

ABSTRACT: In this paper, we have reconstructed and analysed snowfall events on the coast of the natural region of south-eastern Iberia (Spain) over the period 1900 to 2017. Due to the lack of continuous reliable meteorological information, we supplemented our analysis of official sources by consulting the daily newspapers for the days when snow was most likely. We selected 3 cities which are spatially representative for the study area as a whole and for which there is press coverage throughout this period. In north-south order, these cities were Alicante, Cartagena and Almería. Our analysis of official meteorological information and of press reports enabled us to broaden and improve 3 series of snowfall events in the study area. We then used these series to characterize the temporal and spatial distribution of the snowfalls and the synoptic pattern associated with them.