At least four people have died in Spain as a result of the chaos caused by Storm Filomena on January 9. The snow has blocked more than 650 roads, with some drivers forced to spend the night in their cars.
The sudden blizzard, which blanketed the Spanish capital with 25-50cm of snow, has already been called by experts the heaviest in 50 years.
Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has urged people across the country to avoid all but essential travel, while the Madrid City Council has called on residents to stay in their homes due to the emergency situation.
The authorities’ warnings, however, did not stop Madrid residents from enjoying the unusual weather. Many of them decided to make the most of this “emergency situation,” as videos on social media show people having snowball fights, as well as skiing and sliding through the streets.