First major snowfall in the Pyrenees: the ski sector is rubbing its hands in anticipation

The Pyrenees awoke to a blanket of white this Friday morning. The snowfall, which has been falling for hours at all elevations, is primarily affecting the northern slopes, but the event has spread to the southern slopes as well. Areas such as the Boí Valley, the Fosca Valley, Cerdanya, and Alt Ripollès have seen snow reach even the valley floors.

The snowfall is heaviest on the northern slopes, affecting the Vall d'Aran, northern Alta Ribagorça and Pallars Sobirà, as well as Andorra. Several roads in these areas are affected by snow, where the use of snow chains is mandatory. There are also restrictions on articulated vehicles on the N-230 between Vilaller and Vielha e Mijaran. Additionally, this morning the GIV-4016 had to be closed for a while from Planès (Cerdanya) to the GIV-400 after a coach became stuck in ice. These are the most significant road disruptions in the Pyrenees:

So far, snow depths of between 3 and 5 centimeters have accumulated in most of the Pyrenean valleys affected by the snowfall. In some places, this figure has been exceeded: on the north face, there were depths of 8 to 10 centimeters above 1,500 meters early this morning, and around 15 to 20 centimeters have already accumulated at the highest elevations. These figures will continue to increase throughout the day.

This first major snowfall of the season is undoubtedly great news for the ski sector. The slopes are now gaining depth in order to open the season for the Immaculate Conception long weekend, as planned, in two weeks' time. Most resorts have that date marked on their calendars to open. Furthermore, the low temperatures allow for artificial snowmaking. And next week will remain cold with the possibility of more snowfall in the mountain range.

This snowfall arrives on the day we are affected by the full force of the very cold Arctic air mass. A very cold day everywhere and freezing in the Pyrenees, with sub-zero temperatures. Temperatures have reached as low as -15°C at the 2,500 m elevation, and this morning we found values between -3 and -6°C in the Pyrenean valleys. Notable examples include the -5°C recorded for several hours in Puigcerdà, the capital of Cerdanya, and the minimum of -15°C in Boí (2,500 m elevation in Alta Ribagorça). This cold has resulted in powdery and very dry snow.

Snowfall throughout the day

Snow will continue to fall in the Pyrenees throughout the day and well into the early hours of Saturday. It will primarily affect the northern slopes, where accumulations of 20 to 30 centimeters are possible at higher elevations. However, snow will also fall on the southern slopes, especially on the peaks and in the rest of the western Pyrenees. Some light snow showers or a few snowflakes are also possible in nearby areas, such as the northernmost part of the Alt Empordà region. This has already occurred in recent hours in towns like Maçanet de Cabrenys, at just over 300 meters above sea level.

Beware of strong northerly winds, as they will intensify throughout the day, with strong to very strong gusts expected in the high Pyrenees, where they could locally exceed 100 km/h. This wind, combined with snow, will cause blizzard conditions. Therefore, very adverse and freezing weather is expected in the high mountains this Friday.

The wind will also be noticeable across much of the country, intensifying the feeling of cold. The wind will be strong in the Empordà region, in the south, and in higher elevations. A harsh winter day, with minimum temperatures reaching their lowest point in the early hours of Saturday, with widespread frost inland and temperatures below 5 °C on the coast. Temperatures will gradually rise over the weekend, and it will snow again in the Pyrenees on Sunday, but at higher elevations. Next week will be cold, with more snow expected.