Barcelona experienced a sharp 13-degree Celsius temperature drop over 24 hours, shifting from a warm 26.5 degrees Celsius on Saturday to a winter-like 13.5 degrees Celsius by Sunday afternoon.
Unprecedented Heatwave Precedes Cold Snap
This dramatic change followed an unusually warm start to April, which saw Catalonia record three consecutive days above 30 degrees Celsius. The Fabra Observatory in Barcelona registered its highest minimum temperature in 112 years, reaching 18.9 degrees Celsius. This record highlights the intensity of the recent warm spell. Specific locations across Catalonia also experienced notable highs. Riba-roja d’Ebre recorded 31.9 degrees Celsius on Thursday, while Vinebre reached 30.7 degrees Celsius on Friday. Anglès saw 30.1 degrees Celsius on Saturday. Portbou also experienced the year’s first tropical night, with temperatures remaining at 21.6 degrees Celsius.
Polar Air Brings Sudden Chill
The radical shift in weather began on Sunday, as an influx of polar air swept across the region. Barcelona’s temperatures plummeted from 26 degrees Celsius at 12:00 on Saturday to 13.5 degrees Celsius at the same time on Sunday, even lower than the previous day’s minimum of 13.8 degrees Celsius. By 16:00 on Sunday, thermometers in the city showed a chilly 10.8 degrees Celsius, a stark contrast to the preceding warmth. This sudden change brought conditions more typical of winter months, affecting residents across the city and wider Catalonia.
Catalonia Braces for Strong Winds and Rough Seas
Catalonia now prepares for continued thermal instability and adverse weather conditions at the start of the week. The Civil Protection agency (Protecció Civil) has activated a pre-alert for its Ventcat plan. This warning covers strong wind gusts, which could reach up to 108 kilometres per hour. These powerful winds are expected in several areas, including Baix Ebre, Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà, and Montsià. Additionally, the Meteorological Service of Catalonia (Meteocat) issued warnings for rough seas in the Empordà region. Waves there could reach heights of 2.5 metres, with advisories active from early Monday morning until 20:00.
Short-Lived Cold Snap Expected
However, this cold snap will be short-lived across Catalonia. Meteorological models predict temperatures will begin to rise again from Wednesday. Maximum temperatures are expected to return to around 20 degrees Celsius, bringing a more typical spring feel back to the region. Residents can anticipate a return to milder conditions after this brief period of winter-like weather and strong winds.
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Originally published by El Periódico Barcelona. Read original article.
