Let's bundle up tonight: intense cold, frost and strong winds in some areas

BarcelonaThe incursion of cold air from polar origin reached its peak this Wednesday, bringing wintry conditions. Maximum temperatures ranged between 8 and 13 °C inland and from 13 to 16 °C in many coastal and pre-coastal areas, while in the higher elevations of the Pyrenees, temperatures dropped below -10 °C. Strong winds produced gusts of over 100 km/h on Pyrenean peaks and in parts of the Empordà region, with a notable gust of 145 km/h recorded in Portbou (Alt Empordà). Snowfall also eased in the Pyrenees. The midwinter cold will reach its lowest point in the early hours of Thursday, with widespread frosts, but maximum temperatures will begin to recover, and in the coming days, the thermometer will return to normal. Sunshine and calm weather will generally prevail, with strong northerly winds in the morning in the outermost areas, but these will clearly lose intensity and extent as the day progresses. However, Sunday could bring a new change in the weather, with colder temperatures, more snowfall in the Pyrenees, and scattered showers.

Thursday: very cold in the morning

Wednesday night and Thursday morning will be very cold and decidedly wintry. The wind will die down, causing temperatures to drop significantly, with frost in the Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees, across much of the interior, in some coastal areas, and even along the sea in La Selva and southern Empordà. Warm clothing will be essential in the early hours. However, maximum temperatures will rise slightly, with the most pronounced increase expected in the Pyrenees, mainly due to sunshine and the gradual movement of the colder air mass aloft. Many highs will reach 10 to 15 °C, higher in the south and lower in mountainous areas. Generally sunny, although thin, high-altitude clouds will move in throughout the day, potentially obscuring the sky somewhat in the afternoon. There will also be intervals of cloud cover on the northern slopes of the Pyrenees, where light precipitation is possible in the late afternoon. The snow level will rise and fluctuate between 1,200 and 1,400 meters. The mistral and tramontana winds will persist in the Empordà region, the Pyrenees peaks, and the south. They will blow strongly until morning, gradually weakening and diminishing throughout the day.

The next change in weather could arrive this weekend.

Friday and Saturday will be calm and pleasant days, with the wind no longer a concern and temperatures gradually rising and returning to normal. Only on Friday is there a chance of some precipitation on the northern slopes of the Pyrenees, but with the snow level quite high, around 1,700 meters. However, a new active front will cross the Pyrenees on Sunday, bringing significant changes. Heavy snowfall is expected throughout the Pyrenees, and the snow level will drop, but this time it will likely remain above 1,000 meters. Temperatures will also fall, while showers are possible in several areas, especially in Barcelona and Girona. This situation remains uncertain and will need to be clarified.