Spain sees 'exceptional' snowfall - 15th January 2021

Areas of Spain have been blanketed in record-breaking levels of snow after storm Filomena hit the country with a blizzard resulting in at least 4 deaths and widespread chaos.

Such heavy snowfall hasn't been seen in Madrid in half a century. Dubbed "exceptional and most likely historic" by Spain's meteorologists, the blizzard plunged the capital into chaos, with flights grounded, trains stuck in stations, and hundreds of motorists stranded in their cars.

However, many 'madrileños' hit the streets to revel in the snow, ignoring Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's pleas for them to remain indoors.

Covadonga Solares: "I live nearby and we decided to come here because we thought we had to see this. It's great! We're so excited and there's also such a good atmosphere. You see people having fun and I really - maybe I'm a bit too sensitive, I think it's moving, the mood is happy. It's nice, really."

Gleeful residents glided on the capital's fresh powder, fashioning snowman visitors for the city's iconic sights.

Filomena's disruption stretches across Valencia, Castilla La Mancha, and Catalonia.

Temperatures are set to plummet further, putting authorities in a race against time to clear thoroughfares before they turn to ice.