First changes tomorrow, ahead of an umbrella weekend

BarcelonaThe calm weather has come to an end this Thursday, as the weather is set to take a turn for the worse in the coming days. The first changes will arrive tomorrow 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. The weather will remain unsettled on Sunday, and we are keeping an eye on the formation of a Mediterranean low-pressure system, which could 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 of the past few days.

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, although a few light and scattered showers or scatter cannot be ruled out. 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. However, the increased cloud cover will make the cold even more moderate 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. It will begin in the west and spread 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 across the Pyrenees, especially on the southern slopes, where accumulations of 20 to 25 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 traveling to that area, vehicles should be well-equipped in case of snow.

Rain is also 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 that may offer a brief respite in several areas, but which will persist mainly in parts of Girona and Barcelona.

Waiting for a new Mediterranean storm

The arrival of this mass of polar air will trigger the subsequent formation of a new low-pressure system in our Mediterranean region. Depending on its final position, it will bring varying amounts of precipitation to our country. Different weather models disagree on whether it will be a period of intense rainfall on Monday and Tuesday, or a more widespread, less extensive downpour on Monday. Therefore, the duration of the storm has been shortened compared to previous forecasts.

This situation remains highly uncertain and we must continue to monitor it closely. In any case, current weather maps indicate heavy rainfall in the Girona and Barcelona regions, where totals could exceed 100 or 150 liters per square meter during the entire event. And be aware of the significant new snowfall expected in the eastern Pyrenees, where more than half a meter of new snow could accumulate in the coming days. All of this will be accompanied by wintry conditions, a southerly wind blowing towards the coast, and very rough seas.