First changes today, ahead of an umbrella weekend
The weather will be quite eventful in the coming days, and next week could see a rise in wind speed or a sudden surge.
BarcelonaThe calm of the last few days won't last, as the weather will turn quite unsettled in the coming days. The first changes will arrive today with the passage of a weak cold front. But it will be from Saturday onwards that the arrival of a mass of cold air of polar origin – associated with an Atlantic low-pressure system – and the influx of humid sea breezes will bring precipitation across the country and widespread snowfall to the Pyrenees. On Sunday, the weather will remain unsettled, and we are keeping an eye on the formation of a Mediterranean low-pressure system, which will likely generate a strong easterly or northeasterly wind early next week. All of this will bring a more wintry feel, leaving behind the mild highs above 15°C we've seen at midday recently.
Friday: the weather begins to change
The passage of a weak cold front will bring increased cloud cover everywhere, with more variable or overcast skies. Light to moderate precipitation is expected on the southern slopes of the Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees, especially the western side, with a snow level between 1,200 and 1,400 meters. There is little chance of rain in the rest of the country, with only a few showers or light, scattered sleet towards the west, the northeast interior, and northern Central Catalonia. A southerly wind will be noticeable in the northeast and on the Pyrenean peaks, and maximum temperatures will drop, making it less pleasant around midday. Many temperatures will range between 10 and 15 °C. Conversely, the increased cloud cover has slightly raised minimum temperatures in many areas, with a rather moderate chill in the early hours.
Rainy and snowy weekend
The weather situation will worsen starting Saturday. The arrival of a cold front of polar origin and the influx of humid shock winds will bring a wave of precipitation across the country on Saturday. These winds will move from the coast inland, starting in the Tarragona and Lleida regions and spreading throughout the day. It will be a gray and wet first day of the weekend, with rain that will gradually subside without causing major damage. A new, widespread snowfall is also expected in the higher elevations of the Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees, especially on the southern slopes, where accumulations of 20 to 30 cm of new snow are possible throughout the weekend. The snow level will fluctuate between 1,400 and 1,600 meters, slightly lower in the western sector. Therefore, unlike recent episodes, it will not snow in most Pyrenean valleys. In any case, if we head to that area, we should make sure our vehicle is well-equipped in case we encounter snow. Meteocat has already issued the first alerts for heavy rain, accumulations of more than 100 l/m² in 24 hours, snow, and rough seas, and the Inuncat flood plan is in the pre-alert phase.
Furthermore, rain is expected in the Balearic Islands and Castellón, with more scattered showers in the rest of the Valencian Community. Maximum temperatures will drop even further, with many areas registering between 8 and 13 °C. Therefore, it will be cold, typical for this time of year, but not extreme. The unsettled weather will continue on Sunday, with rain falling in several regions, particularly in Girona and Barcelona.
Waiting for a new Mediterranean storm
The arrival of this mass of polar air will cause the subsequent formation of a new low-pressure system in our Mediterranean region. Depending on its final position, it will bring more or less precipitation to our country. Different weather models disagree on whether it will be a period of high winds on Monday and Tuesday, or a more moderate, glacial low that will only bring rain on Monday, especially to the coast, pre-coastal areas, and the northeast. Therefore, the duration of the storm has been slightly reduced compared to previous forecasts.
This situation still has room for change, which we should monitor very closely. In any case, right now the maps indicate abundant rainfall, especially in the Girona and Barcelona regions, where in some areas, rainfall could exceed 100 or 200 liters per square meter throughout the entire event. And be aware of the significant new snowfall expected in the eastern Pyrenees, where between half a meter and a meter of new snow will accumulate in the coming days. All this with winter-like conditions, a sea breeze blowing towards the shore, and very rough seas.