Wintry Christmas weather is set to transform Catalonia into a seasonal scene, bringing the most unsettled festive period in recent years.
After a brief respite on Wednesday, widespread rain, snow and biting cold will return across the region for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
This marks a dramatic shift from recent mild Decembers.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Consequently, residents and travellers must prepare for challenging conditions. Grey skies and persistent precipitation will dominate, with particularly heavy accumulations forecast for north-eastern counties.
Wintry Christmas Brings Travel Disruption
Road users are urged to exercise extreme caution during this period of high mobility. The snow level will fluctuate significantly, potentially dropping as low as 500 metres in some southern and interior areas. Therefore, some towns could witness the picturesque white Christmas typically seen only in films.
Furthermore, significant snowfall is expected to reactivate across medium and high altitudes of the eastern Pyrenees. The accompanying cold will be markedly different from the mild temperatures of recent years, according to the Ara.cat meteorological report. This wintry Christmas episode will also feature a strong easterly maritime storm.
Maximum temperatures in Barcelona and Tarragona are predicted to hover around 10°C, a stark contrast to last year’s 15-17°C. Meanwhile, in Puigcerdà, a high of just 3°C is forecast alongside possible snow showers.
Heavy Rain and Coastal Warnings Issued
Showers will regain ground during Christmas night and morning, especially along the coast and north-east. Rainfall will become widespread throughout Christmas Day itself. The most persistent and abundant downpours are expected in Girona and Barcelona counties, intensifying from the afternoon onward.
The Meteocat has activated an alert for water accumulations that could exceed 100 litres per square metre within 24 hours over Christmas and Boxing Day. This wintry Christmas will also bring a reinforced easterly wind, with a particularly severe maritime storm forecast for the Costa Brava. Waves there could surpass 4-6 metres in height.
Travel plans may be affected, as seen in other recent transport disruptions. For instance, high demand has recently strained the Barcelona-Girona rail link, and adverse weather could compound such issues.
Snowfall will be persistent and heavy in the eastern Pyrenees, where between half a metre and one metre of new snow could accumulate, locally more. This promises the best start to the ski season in years for the sector. However, the snow level will vary, remaining much lower in western regions and the Ebro valley during the morning.
Conditions are expected to improve across Catalonia during the weekend, with the rain moving towards the Valencian Country and the Balearic Islands. This authentic wintry Christmas serves as a powerful reminder of the region’s variable climate, urging everyone to stay warm, travel safely, and enjoy the seasonal shift.
Join our WhatsApp broadcast channel for instant news updates!
Source: Read original article
