Intense cold on a cloudy Sunday with the first snowfalls

The arrival of the much-anticipated mass of Arctic air is just hours away, bringing its harsh winter cold to Catalonia next week. The combination of this frigid air mass with the Atlantic storm... Francis This will increase the risk of precipitation, which on Sunday could affect mainly the western part of the region, with the snow level potentially dropping below 100 or 200 meters overnight. On Monday, snow is possible at very low elevations in several districts, especially during the morning, with the snow level occasionally reaching zero meters. This has prompted several Meteocat weather warnings and the Neucat plan to be placed on alert.

Sunday: snow level drops

According to current weather maps, Sunday will be another gray day with more precipitation, which will be light and mainly affect areas in the western half of the country. Be aware of the snow level, as it will start at 1,500 meters and will gradually drop throughout the day to 200 meters or lower by nightfall, due to the channeling of cold air through the Ebro basin. Therefore, it could snow, for example, anywhere in the Lleida plain or in the Terres de l'Ebre region, although it appears that there will be little precipitation initially. Scattered, light showers are also expected in the Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees, with snow at all elevations. Some light rain or scattered showers are possible in other areas, while precipitation will increase in the Valencian Community, with snow particularly in the Els Ports and Alt Maestrat regions. Temperatures falling, with a cold, midwinter feel everywhere and freezing temperatures in the Pyrenees. Strong Tramontana winds in the Empordà and moderate Mistral winds in the Ebro.

Separately, showers are also expected in the Valencian Community, increasing in intensity from the afternoon onwards and reaching the Balearic Islands. Minimum temperatures will be higher due to cloud cover, but maximum temperatures will generally decrease, especially in the Pyrenees and the northeast, creating a wintry feel. In contrast, temperatures may rise towards the west as the fog dissipates more quickly, and this fog will return in the morning to plains and valleys.

Monday: Anecdotal snowfalls

The degree of uncertainty remains high because the different weather models fluctuate with each release, but it seems clear that precipitation could affect some areas on Monday, especially in Barcelona, ​​Lleida, northern Tarragona, and the Valencian Community. The snow level will fluctuate between 200 and 400 meters, although it could snow locally at sea level if the precipitation is heavy and the snow level drops significantly. Everything will depend on the final impact of the storm. Francis and its interaction with the very cold Arctic air mass, but everything points to the storm's final position not being very favorable to our interests and will significantly limit the possibility of snowfall.

What we are sure of is the cold, as it will be very intense and typical of winter. We'll need to bundle up to go out and welcome Their Majesties on Monday afternoon. Temperatures will be clearly below average and will continue on Three Kings' Day, with calmer and sunnier weather. At the high elevations of the Pyrenees, temperatures will reach -15°C, with extreme wind chills of less than -20°C.

Further on, the cold of a harsh winter

After a snowy Monday, the Three Kings will arrive with intense cold, the likes of which haven't been seen for this time of year in years. Frost will gradually move closer to the coast and could even reach the shoreline in regions like Baix Empordà and northern Maresme. Maximum temperatures will also be significantly lower, with highs of 10°C or slightly lower along the coast and between 3°C and 7°C in much of the interior. We should keep an eye out for possible showers and snow at very low elevations, although overall the weather will be calm.