Spain is bracing for an unusually cold spell as a polar air mass sweeps across the country, bringing temperatures below normal for this time of year.

The chill will be most pronounced in the northern regions and the Balearic Islands, with the first snow of the season expected in the Pyrenees.

The cold front will cause temperatures to drop significantly, with some areas experiencing lows of 2°C to 4°C, particularly in northern provinces like Teruel and Burgos.

While the south will remain warmer, the north will see temperatures 5°C to 10°C below average.

This brief autumnal flirtation will be most intense on Thursday and Friday, with a recovery expected over the weekend.

The cold snap will also bring rain to the Cantabrian region and the Pyrenees, with potential for storms in the Balearic Islands and eastern Catalonia.

Despite the chill, sunny skies are forecast for Saturday in Bilbao, where temperatures will rise slightly after a frosty start.