Photos: Storm 'Filomena' blankets Spain with snow, disrupts traffic

A snowplow removes snow as vehicles remain stuck in the M30 ringroad in Madrid. Spain is on high alert as a cold snap covers much of the country with record levels of snow that is disrupting road, rail, sea and air traffic, while authorities warned that worse might be in store over the weekend.

Adolfo Suarez Barajas airport is pictured during a snowfall in Madrid. "Owing to the adverse meteorological conditions, flights are being diverted from Madrid Barajas airport. Consult your airline for the state of your flight," Aena, which controls the country's airports, said in a tweet.

The M-30 and M-40 motorways near Madrid were among more than 400 roads where snow hindered vehicles, traffic authorities said. Citizens were asked to avoid non-essential travel because of the highly unusual blizzard.

Meteorologists expected Friday's snowfall to total 20 cm, and temperatures hovered around freezing.

Visitors walk through Retiro Park, just before it was closed, in heavy snowfall in Madrid. Large parks in Madrid, including the Retiro next to the Prado museum, were closed as a precaution.

The light snow that began falling Thursday in some areas led by the end of Friday to serious disruptions on nearly 400 roads according to Spain's transit authorities, which urged people to stay indoors and avoid all non-essential travel.

The capital, Madrid, was enduring what the city's mayor described as "the worst storm in 80 years," prompting the closure of the city's main park and restrictions on the suburban belts of highways.

Railway service between Madrid and the eastern parts of the country was suspended until at least mid-Saturday, with many commuter lines suffering delays or cancelations.

All incoming and outgoing flights were halted at Madrid's international airport, leaving hundreds of passengers at terminals or already inside aircraft waiting for the weather to clear up.

In Toledo, a historic city of 85,000 south of Madrid and capital of the central Castilla La Mancha region, authorities have called for help from the army to clear roads, and prohibited all circulation of vehicles without winter tires or chains.

People walk as snow falls in Madrid.

Snow-covered tables are seen at Plaza Mayor square during snowfall in Madrid.

People push a vehicle during a heavy snowfall in Madrid.

People walk at Puerta del Sol square during snowfall in Madrid.

People stand at Plaza Mayor square during snowfall in Madrid.

People walk during snowfall in Madrid.