Peak of strong winds and snowfall in the Pyrenees to start the weekend

BarcelonaThe strong winds have been gaining intensity and spreading throughout Friday, with gusts reaching 60 to 90 km/h in many areas, causing various incidents, but even stronger locally. Notable gusts so far 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 is now reaching its peak, and further strong gusts are expected tonight in many areas, especially in the central and southern parts of the country, including the Empordà, the Ponent region, and higher elevations. Numerous weather alerts have been issued.

Furthermore, the snowfall that has already begun in the Pyrenees will be quite widespread and will also reach the valleys, affecting mainly the northern slopes, and will produce blizzard conditions at higher elevations. Very adverse conditions are expected in the high mountains in the coming hours. The scattered showers this afternoon outside the Pyrenees will not be repeated. All of this is due to the passage of a cold front associated with the powerful Atlantic storm. GorettiTemperatures will drop this weekend. The weather will definitely improve on Sunday.

Next few hours: keep an eye on the wind

Throughout the afternoon, evening, and night, the worst of the storm will hit, with strong westerly and northwesterly winds affecting much of Catalonia, the Valencian Community, and the Balearic Islands. The most affected areas will be Barcelona, ​​Tarragona, Ponent, and Empordà, as well as higher elevations. In fact, the weather will be particularly adverse in the high Pyrenees, with very strong gusts, freezing temperatures, snow, and blizzard conditions. Winds will exceed 72 km/h in many areas, and could reach 100 km/h in the strongest zones. Meteocat has issued numerous strong wind warnings, and the Ventcat plan remains on alert.

Furthermore, snowfall will be widespread throughout the Pyrenees above 700 meters, including many valleys. It will primarily affect the northern slopes, but will also extend to the southern slopes, especially from Cerdanya westward. If you are traveling to the Pyrenees, it will be essential to have your car well-equipped. At higher elevations on the northern slopes and in the Alt Pirineu, accumulations of between 25 and 50 cm of new snow are possible throughout this event, with locally higher amounts. Meteocat also maintains weather warnings for Vall d'Aran, Alta Ribagorça, and Pallars Sobirà. The showers this afternoon in parts of the northeast, the Pre-Pyrenees, and the west will eventually dissipate completely.

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, and the Pyrenean peaks. Avoid activities in the high mountains, as a very challenging Saturday is expected with strong winds, snow, blizzard conditions, and very cold temperatures.

Snowfall will continue in the Pyrenees, although it will become more concentrated on the northern slopes as the day progresses. The snow level will be around 700 meters. Outside the Pyrenees, no precipitation is expected, with sunshine and only occasional cloud cover in the Pre-Pyrenees and the northeast. Temperatures will drop, making it colder both day and night. Highs will range from 8 to 13°C, with sub-zero temperatures expected throughout the day in the high mountains.

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.