Spring takes a step back: temperatures drop, wind and snow in the Pyrenees
Temperatures will remain low during the first days of Holy Week
BarcelonaTemperatures peaked this Wednesday, with very mild conditions at midday that resulted in highs around or above 20°C in several regions. However, the approach of a cold front has already revived the mistral and tramontana winds in the south, in the Ponent region, and in the northern Empordà, and the first showers have also arrived on the northern slopes of the Pyrenees. Tonight and throughout Thursday, the wind will be strong at the extremes, with blizzard conditions and freezing temperatures at the higher elevations of the Pyrenees. There is also a possibility of isolated showers between Girona and Barcelona, while snow will fall on the northern slopes of the Pyrenees starting at just 600 or 800 meters. Temperatures will drop significantly and remain relatively mild for the rest of the week. Therefore, spring will take a step back and winter will show its claws for the last time, just as we find ourselves on the cusp of Easter.
Winds and a clear drop in temperatures
The change in weather will solidify tonight and throughout Thursday, with strong mistral and tramontana winds affecting the Tarragona, Ponent, and Empordà regions, as well as the Pyrenean peaks. Conditions will be very adverse in the high Pyrenees, with strong winds, blizzard conditions, freezing temperatures, and snow. Along the Costa Brava, the sea will be very rough. Meteocat has issued alerts for gusts that could exceed 90 km/h in these areas, and locally reach 100 km/h, especially in high mountain areas.
In addition, snow is expected on the northern slopes of the Pyrenees at virtually all elevations. This light to moderate snowfall will occur overnight and into the morning, and could resume Friday night and into the early hours of Friday morning after a break on Thursday afternoon. During the early morning hours, some light and isolated showers are also possible between the coast and the pre-coastal areas of Barcelona and the northeast interior, where the sky will remain more variable throughout the day.
In contrast, sunshine will prevail across the rest of the country, while overcast skies and scattered showers are expected in Mallorca and Menorca. Maximum temperatures will drop significantly everywhere, with the most pronounced decrease occurring in the Pyrenees, the Pre-Pyrenees, and other areas of the northern half of the country. Many areas are expected to have temperatures between 13 and 17 °C, but significantly lower in mountainous regions, particularly at higher elevations in the Pyrenees, where temperatures will remain below freezing throughout the day.
Thermometers at a steady pace to start Holy Week
Temperatures will rise slightly between Friday and Saturday, but will remain subdued and below the usual average for this time of year. Therefore, we will officially begin Holy Week with a touch of mildness, with northerly winds at the extremes and plenty of sunshine overall. The core of the anticyclone will move from the Azores towards the British Isles, maintaining the corridor of northerly winds towards our region. This will ensure a continued influx of cold air from Central Europe. Furthermore, between Saturday and Palm Sunday, a new cold front will arrive, bringing more significant snowfall to the Pyrenees, especially on the northern slopes, with the snow level remaining well below 1,000 meters. Therefore, vehicles should be properly equipped for snow this weekend if heading to the Pyrenees. The northerly winds will also strengthen, affecting more areas this time, with blizzard conditions expected in the Pyrenees. A situation that we will need to refine in future forecasts.
However, it seems that next week the temperature will start to rise, and we could begin April with a much milder atmosphere, just in time to welcome the key days of Easter, holidays for many people.