Last Friday, May 30, the inauguration of the Madrid Book Fair 2025 (FLM) was marred by the closure of the Retiro Park. The news, communicated by the organization of the FLM through its social networks, caught by surprise many of the people who had planned to go there and also the writers who had planned to sign in the afternoon.
The decision of the closure was motivated by a red alert from the AEMET due to strong gusts of wind and temperatures of 35ºC, and responds to the action protocol applied by the Madrid City Council in adverse weather situations.
Its objective is to avoid incidents such as “falling branches or trees or other risks arising from strong gusts of wind, rain or snow“, although other variables such as the maximum temperature also play a role.
Different alert levels
The protocol contemplates four alert levels, which depend on the forecasts of the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET):
- Green: corresponds to that situation in which none of the meteorological factors exceeds the established minimum threshold.
- Yellow: There is no risk for the population in general, although it would imply a certain probability of falling branches or trees.
- Orange: there is a significant risk with a greater probability of falling branches and trees.
- Red: the risk is very important, with a high probability of falling branches and trees in gardens.
Which parks in Madrid are affected by the red alert and how?
Each of the alert levels is associated with different restrictions, the most extreme being the closure of the site by the red alert. This is how it affects the different parks:
Parks to which the closure applies
- Buen Retiro Gardens
- Capricho de la Alameda de Osuna Garden
- Juan Carlos I Park
- Juan Pablo II Park
- Quinta Torre Arias Park
- Quinta de los Molinos Park
- Quinta Fuente del Berro Park
- Parque del Oeste Rose Garden
- Parque Lineal del Manzanares
Parks with restricted access areas
- Madrid Río
- Casa de Campo
Parks with event suspension zones
- Parque del Oeste
- Dehesa de la Villa
In the case of orange and yellow alerts, access and outdoor events are restricted.
A map where you can check the status of the parks
From Geoportal of the Madrid City Council have prepared a map where you can check if there is a forecast to close some of the historical and unique parks of the city due to weather forecasts. If they appear in green color it means that there is no forecast of upcoming alerts.
The most beautiful parks and gardens in Madrid
With the arrival of good weather the parks and gardens of Madrid are filled with people willing to take advantage of the hours of sunshine. In this article we compile some of our favorites.