Winter weather returns: a new cold snap, strong winds, and snow in the Pyrenees

BarcelonaThe weather changed on Tuesday due to the passage of a weakening front. The mistral wind blew strongly in the south of the country, reaching speeds slightly above 100 km/h in places like El Perelló (Baix Ebre) and Mas de Barberans (Montsià). The tramontana wind also strengthened in the Pyrenees and northern Empordà, and it is in these areas that gusts will be particularly intense tonight and tomorrow. Warnings have been issued for winds that will be felt to varying degrees everywhere. Temperatures have dropped in recent hours, and the maximums will reach their lowest point on Wednesday due to the peak of the new polar air mass. Winter conditions with below-average temperatures will be accompanied by sunshine, except on the northern slopes of the Pyrenees, where snow is still expected. The snowfall began last night and spread to the southern slopes, with a sharp drop in the snow level. It snows quite generally from Vall d'Aran to Ripollès.

Wednesday: cold and windy

The northerly wind will bring strong to very strong gusts, especially in the Empordà region and on the peaks of the Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees, but will also reach some valleys. The mistral wind will also be noticeable, ranging from light to moderate in most areas, but with locally strong gusts again between the Ebro River and the Camp de Tarragona region and in higher elevations. A blizzard is expected in the high Pyrenees, bringing freezing temperatures. The Ventcat plan remains active at the alert level, and Meteocat has issued orange and red warnings for rough seas in the Empordà region and gusts that could exceed 90 km/h on the Costa Brava, the Pyrenees, and the Pre-Pyrenees.

There will be generally bright sunshine, but snowfall is expected on the northern slopes of the Pyrenees at practically all elevations, although precipitation will ease in the afternoon. Some isolated showers are also expected in the Balearic Islands. Temperatures will drop even further, creating a cold and wintry feel, with values around 5 degrees below average for this time of year. Highs will range from 8° to 13°, lower in mountainous areas and slightly higher in the south. At mid and high elevations in the Pyrenees, the temperature will remain below freezing all day.

A little bit of everything in the next few days

Thursday's early morning will be decidedly wintry with a significant frost, but from then on and over the following days, temperatures will gradually recover and return to normal for this time of year, both day and night. All of this will be accompanied by calm and sunny weather. Only some light, intermittent precipitation is expected on the northern slopes of the Pyrenees, with the snow level rising above 1,000 or 1,500 meters. The northerly wind will noticeably weaken and subside.

However, it seems the weekend will end with another change in the weather. A front will bring renewed instability, and a new pocket of cold air will lower temperatures and the snow level. According to current weather maps, Sunday should be a colder day, with snowfall in the Pyrenees and some scattered showers elsewhere in the country—a situation we will have to confirm.