Wind, winter cold and snow in the Pyrenees to start the weekend

BarcelonaThe gale-force winds that began yesterday are affecting many regions and have already produced numerous gusts of 60 to 90 km/h, causing several incidents, though more severe locally. Notable gusts include 159 km/h in Portbou (Alt Empordà), 136 km/h at Puig Sesolles (at an altitude of 1,600 m in Montseny), and 100 km/h at Montsec de Ares. The storm reached its peak in the last few hours, and strong winds are expected to persist in several areas today. Many weather alerts remain in effect. Furthermore, snowfall has spread throughout the Pyrenees, including the southern slopes, reaching the valley floors and all elevations. The entire region is waking up blanketed in white, with mobility issues being a concern. Snow chains are required on more than twenty roads, and three roads are closed due to the storm: the BV-4024 in Guardiola de Berguedà, the C-28 in Naut Aran, and the GIV-4714 in Toses. Some valleys have already accumulated between 10 and 20 cm of snow.

Very adverse conditions prevail in the high mountains today due to wind, snow, and blizzards. The scattered showers from yesterday afternoon outside the Pyrenees will not be repeated, with plenty of sunshine expected in most areas. All of this is due to the passage of a cold front associated with the powerful Atlantic storm. GorettiTemperatures will drop this weekend, bringing winter-like conditions. The weather will improve significantly on Sunday.

Saturday: wind and snow

The wind will persist throughout the first day of the weekend, but will gradually diminish. It will blow from the mistral, with strong gusts becoming increasingly concentrated in the southern half of the country, in the Ponent region, the Empordà, the Pyrenees peaks, and the Balearic Islands. However, the wind will still be felt, albeit to a lesser extent, in the central part of the country, including the Barcelona area. Gusts will exceed 72 km/h in the windiest areas, and could reach 100 km/h in some cases, especially at higher elevations. Meteocat (the Catalan Meteorological Service) has issued numerous alerts for strong winds, while the Ventcat plan (a weather alert system) has been downgraded from the alert phase to the pre-alert phase.

Snowfall will continue at all elevations in the Pyrenees, although it will become more concentrated on the northern slopes as the day progresses. Avoid high-mountain activities, as a very challenging Saturday is expected with strong winds, snow, blizzard conditions, and freezing temperatures. If you are going to the Pyrenees, it will be necessary to have your car well-equipped. At the higher elevations of the northern slopes and the Alt Pirineu, accumulations of between 25 and 50 cm of new snow are possible throughout the event, locally more. Meteocat also maintains warnings in this regard for Vall d'Aran, Alta Ribagorça, and Pallars Sobirà. Outside the Pyrenean area, no precipitation is expected; it will be sunny with only some cloud cover in the Pre-Pyrenees and the northeast.

Temperatures will drop, and it will be colder, both day and night. In fact, we woke up to widespread frost in the Pyrenees, the Pre-Pyrenees, and in the interior of the northern half of the country. As for the highs, many will range between 8 and 13°C, while in the high mountains temperatures will remain below freezing throughout the day.

Sunday: much calmer

The weather will improve significantly on the last day of the weekend. The effects of the storm Goretti They will completely dissipate, and the strong winds will not return anywhere. Sunshine will prevail, with some remaining cloud cover in the north of the country, but no precipitation. It will be colder, with more widespread frosts in the early morning, but the highs will be similar to or higher than usual. The temperature rise will be particularly pronounced in the Pyrenees.

Next week, Atlantic fronts will continue to pass through, bringing little rain to our region outside the Pyrenees. Temperatures will rise, and fairly normal values for this time of year are expected, with no further cold spells in sight.