The Three Kings will bring very cold weather and snow at low altitudes: which parades might it snow on?

BarcelonaThe weather is one of the main protagonists of these holidays. After the strong winds during Christmas week, we now have a long weekend for Three Kings Day that will also bring significant changes. On the one hand, the storm... Francis It will approach our area and increase instability by bringing moisture from the Mediterranean. On the other hand, we will have an incursion of very cold air of Arctic origin that will cause temperatures and the snow level to plummet.

Therefore, precipitation will arrive which, combined with the intense cold, will fall as snow at very low elevations, especially on Monday, the day of the Three Kings' Day parades. Their Majesties will bring us a harsh winter atmosphere and surprises in the form of snow in some areas. A situation reminiscent of the snowfall on the eve of Three Kings' Day in 1985, when many parades were blanketed in white. But where and when might it snow this time?

First snow showers at low elevations this weekend

Saturday will be a generally cloudy day, with a few scattered showers or raindrops expected in the Pyrenees and the west. Rainfall will be light, with the snow level still high, between 1,600 and 1,800 meters. However, on the northern slopes of the Pyrenees, the snow level will drop to 800 meters by evening. Light precipitation is expected throughout the country from Saturday night into Sunday morning. On Sunday, the Arctic air mass will begin to move in more decisively, bringing colder temperatures everywhere. This will cause the snow level to drop significantly, especially in the western half of the country due to the channeling of cold air through the Ebro Valley. In these areas, snow could fall below 500 meters by the afternoon, and down to 200 meters by the end of the day. Light and scattered precipitation is expected, especially in the Ebro Valley, the western Pyrenees, and the Valencian Community. In fact, Meteocat has already issued the first snow alerts for elevations above 200 meters on Sunday night.

Horseback riding in the snow at low altitudes

Between Sunday night and Monday, the heaviest rainfall will arrive, with a significantly lower snow level. Snow is possible at all elevations inland, and between 200 and 400 meters along the coast and pre-coastal areas. However, if there is precipitation during the night of Three Kings' Day (January 6th), it could snow right down to the coastline. According to current weather maps, the precipitation will arrive in the early morning hours from the west and will sweep across much of the country eastward. During the day, snow is expected in the Pla de Lleida, the Terres de l'Ebre, Central Catalonia, the central and southern pre-coastal areas, and throughout the interior of the Valencian Community. The heaviest snowfall is likely to occur in these areas. Between the afternoon and evening, the precipitation will primarily affect the central and southern parts of the country, including the coast.

Therefore, at the time of the parades, it could snow from 200 meters upwards, locally lower, in the Barcelona area, inland Tarragona, and Central Catalonia, as well as in nearby areas. It will also snow in many parts of the Valencian Community and the Balearic Islands at very low elevations. However, little precipitation is expected in the north of the country. This situation presents a degree of uncertainty, which we will continue to update and monitor closely.

Beyond the snow, the cold will be intense. We'll need to bundle up to welcome the Three Kings in the streets of every town and city. It seems that Three Kings' Day will be sunnier and calmer, but with a harsh winter atmosphere everywhere. In the high Pyrenees, temperatures could reach or exceed -15°C. This cold will be accompanied by northerly winds at the extremes.