Sierra Nevada Snow Conditions Overview
Sierra Nevada in Andalusia, Spain sits at 3,300m (10,827ft) elevation and averages 197cm of annual snowfall based on 10 years of historical data (2015-2025). During the ski season, Sierra Nevada receives approximately 180cm of snow. The best month for powder is March, averaging 73.8cm of snowfall with a 41% powder probability. The highest chance of fresh powder (15cm+ in any given week) occurs in March at 41%.
- Annual Snowfall
- 197cm
- Elevation
- 3,300m
- Best Month
- March
- Powder Probability
- 41%
Snowfall data sourced from ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (2015-2025).
Check Sierra Nevada snow forecast for your dates
Based on 10 years of historical snowfall data
About Sierra Nevada
Sierra Nevada is the southernmost major ski resort in continental Europe, in Spain's Andalusia region above the city of Granada. Lift-served terrain reaches 3,300m on Pico del Veleta — the third-highest peak in mainland Spain — with a base near 2,100m, an unusually high elevation profile that compensates for the resort's low latitude (37°N). Snow arrives almost entirely from Atlantic fronts that swing south through the Strait of Gibraltar and bank up against the range, with the heaviest accumulations concentrated in March rather than midwinter. This page uses 10 years of historical snowfall data to help you find the weeks most likely to deliver fresh powder.
Snowfall patterns over the last decade
Across ERA5 reanalysis snowfall records from 2015 to 2025, Sierra Nevada (Spain) averages roughly 197cm (78 inches) of snow a year, with the November-through-April season delivering about 180cm of that. The distribution is unusually back-loaded: March is by far the heaviest calendar month at 73.8cm — more than the combined total of December (17.8cm), January (25.6cm) and February (21.5cm) — followed by April at 26.5cm. November adds 15.1cm and October another 6.6cm. Measured by powder probability (the share of weeks with at least 15cm of fresh snow), March leads at 41%, with April at 16% and January at 15%, while December and February both sit below 10%. The practical implication is that the second half of the season is when the best powder odds at this latitude actually fall.
Year-to-year variability is large, and concentrated in March. March snowfall in the 10-year record ranges from just 3.3cm in the driest winter to 225.8cm in the wettest — a roughly 70-fold spread on a single calendar month. January swings between 1.7cm and 42.5cm, February between effectively zero and 47.9cm, and April between zero and 69.4cm. A weak March can collapse the entire season; a single strong Atlantic storm cycle in March can deliver more snow than the rest of the winter combined. This is why a multi-year average is more useful for trip planning at Sierra Nevada than any single-week snow report or short-range forecast.
In the context of the Spanish and Pyrenean resorts tracked here, Sierra Nevada's 197cm annual average is modest — Baqueira Beret records 506cm and Grandvalira 435cm in the same dataset, both more than double Sierra Nevada's total. What Sierra Nevada has instead is altitude: lift-served terrain to 3,300m on Pico del Veleta keeps snow quality high well into April when lower Pyrenean and Atlas resorts are losing cover, and the resort routinely operates into late April or early May in a normal year. For the highest combined snowfall and powder odds, the late-February through mid-April window has historically been the most reliable, while December and early-January trips face both lower totals and powder probability below 15%.
Snow & Weather Conditions
We use 10 years of historical data to help you plan — not a live snow report.
Spain's ski resorts benefit from Pyrenean and Sierra Nevada storm systems. Sierra Nevada is Europe's most southerly major resort, with surprisingly reliable snowfall at high altitude. The high elevation ensures a cold, consistent climate that favours natural snow preservation. Storms frequently deliver generous totals, and the altitude keeps the snowpack dense and skiable throughout the core winter months. Season-long totals generally land between 6 and 10 metres, translating to a robust mid-winter base well above 2 metres.
Best Time to Ski
The best time to ski at Sierra Nevada is March, with 73.8cm average snowfall and 41% powder probability. Based on 10 years of historical snowfall data from PowderDays. Season runs from late November to early April. January and February are the coldest, snowiest months. Explore PowderDays' 10-year snowfall archive to compare trends and plan your ideal visit dates.
Powder Probability by Month
Chance of 15cm+ fresh snow in any given week (10 years of data):
- Nov10%
- Dec8%
- Jan15%
- Feb7%
- Mar41%
- Apr16%
10-Year Snow History
| Month | Avg Snowfall (cm) | Record High | Record Low | Powder Probability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov | 15.1 | 47.2 | 0.0 | 10% |
| Dec | 17.8 | 39.6 | 5.5 | 8% |
| Jan | 25.6 | 42.5 | 1.7 | 15% |
| Feb | 21.5 | 47.9 | 0.0 | 7% |
| Mar | 73.8 | 225.8 | 3.3 | 41% |
| Apr | 26.5 | 69.4 | 0.0 | 16% |
What Makes It Special
Modern lift systems, well-groomed slopes, and improving off-piste terrain. The Pyrenean resorts offer vast, interconnected ski areas. Spanish mountain culture combines vibrant nightlife, tapas, and warm hospitality with excellent value compared to Alpine neighbours.
Sierra Nevada in Andalusia is the most southerly ski resort in Europe, with a summit at 3,300 metres. Baqueira-Beret in the Val d'Aran is the largest ski area in the Spanish Pyrenees, with over 160km of pistes and an average annual snowfall exceeding 5 metres.
Data Sources & Methodology
All snowfall statistics for Sierra Nevada are based on 10 years of historical data (2015-2025) from the Open-Meteo Historical Weather API, which provides ERA5 reanalysis data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Daily snowfall totals are queried at Sierra Nevada's coordinates (37.10, -3.40) and 3,300m elevation, then aggregated into monthly averages, record highs/lows, and powder probability scores. Powder probability represents the chance of receiving 15cm or more of fresh snow in any given week during that month.