Let's bundle up today: the freezing, harsh winter weather is at its worst.

BarcelonaAfter the snowfall on Three Kings' Day that blanketed the landscape in some inland areas, the focus has now shifted to the cold, with freezing temperatures and widespread frosts also affecting parts of the coast. The temperature plummeted this morning, with lows below -5°C in several inland locations. It's essential to bundle up before leaving the house this morning. And at midday, the feeling will still be that of a harsh winter. However, in the high mountains, a slight rise in temperature is already being felt, indicating that the mass of cold air of Arctic origin is beginning to move away. In the coming days, temperatures will rise significantly and tend to normalize. We will enter a period of Atlantic fronts that will bring variable skies, milder westerly winds, and snow in the Pyrenees. In fact, snowfall will resume this afternoon on the northern slopes of the Pyrenees.

Wednesday: a harsh winter atmosphere

The first morning after Three Kings Day and throughout the Christmas holidays will be marked by frigid conditions. Minimum temperatures have plummeted, and frost is widespread in the early hours, including along many coastal stretches. It's essential to dress warmly before leaving home, as minimum temperatures are expected to range from -3 to -8°C inland, -7 to -12°C in the Pyrenees valleys, -1 to -7°C in the pre-coastal areas, and 2 to -3°C on the coast. This was the coldest early morning since January 6, 2021. It's very cold in the high mountains, but the mercury has begun to rise slowly, and temperatures are no longer reaching -15°C. Maximum temperatures will remain similar or even slightly lower, maintaining a harsh winter feel. They will only rise at the highest elevations of the Pyrenees and in areas affected by westerly and southerly winds. Many temperatures will range between 5 and 10°C.

All this with very calm and stable weather in most areas. Clear skies in the morning, but throughout the day the approach of a front will increase cloud cover, with more variable skies but no major consequences, especially during the afternoon. The exception will be the northern slopes of the Pyrenees, where precipitation will arrive from the afternoon onwards and snowfall will resume. The snow level will fluctuate between 900 and 1200 meters. The Tramontana wind will gradually move away from the Empordà region, while the Mistral wind will gain strength and blow strongly in the south, especially in the afternoon.

Thursday: changeable weather

Temperatures will rise significantly across the country by Thursday, especially during the early morning hours, when frosts will be less intense and widespread, although the winter chill will persist. Wednesday's variable skies will continue, though sunshine will prevail. Snow will fall on the mid and high elevations of the northern slopes of the Pyrenees during the early morning, but precipitation will then cease. Westerly winds will strengthen across the southern half of the country. In the coming days, the cold will be much more moderate, and temperatures will return to normal. Snow will fall again in the Pyrenees, which are laden with snow at this point in the winter season.

Snowfall balance at low elevations

Monday's snowfall affected many regions, creating scenes reminiscent of a nativity scene on the eve of Three Kings' Day. It began to affect some areas of the Lleida region and the Segarra plateau on Sunday night, but spread more widely during the early hours of Monday morning. The snow level plummeted, and snow fell at all elevations in the western and southern parts of the country, and above 100-200 meters in the central region. From 5 or 6 a.m. on Monday, the snow settled on the ground in the Lleida region, thanks to the persistent precipitation and the drop in temperature, and also in parts of Central Catalonia. In some areas, the snow accumulation exceeded 10 centimeters, in places like Igualada and Santa Coloma de Queralt. Snow was also seen very close to the sea in the Camp de Tarragona and Ebro regions, but on the central coast the snow level was only 400 or 500 meters. The Girona region received practically no precipitation. This was all due to the combination of an Arctic cold front and the effects of the storm. Francis.