Authorities have issued a high-level weather alert for the northern third of Catalonia this Sunday, warning of dangerously strong winds and a significant drop in temperatures across the region.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
The Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya (SMC), the region’s official meteorological service, has elevated its warning to a red alert, indicating a maximum danger level of 5 out of 6. This alert will be active from 1:00 AM on Sunday until 7:00 AM on Monday, with wind gusts expected to exceed 140 km/h in several areas. According to a report by betevé, some forecast models even suggest isolated gusts could reach a staggering 180 km/h in Ripollès county.
Powerful northerly winds will usher in a mass of cold air, causing temperatures to plummet. Early morning lows on Sunday are forecast to fall below 10°C across Catalonia, dipping to around 3°C in pre-coastal areas. Despite the cold, the strong winds will clear away cloud cover, leading to a predominantly sunny day.
Affected Areas and Specific Dangers
The most intense conditions are forecast for the mountainous northern regions. The red alert specifically targets the Eastern Pyrenees, the Pre-Pyrenees, Alta Garrotxa, and the Serra de l’Albera. Furthermore, the powerful Tramontane wind will batter the Empordà region, creating extremely rough seas and dangerous conditions along the Costa Brava. Meanwhile, the strong Mistral wind will also be felt intensely in the southern half of Catalonia.
In addition to the wind, snowfall is expected in the Pyrenees overnight into Sunday. This combination of fresh snow and hurricane-force winds creates the potential for a dangerous phenomenon known locally as the ‘torb’. Similar to a blizzard or whiteout, the torb occurs when strong winds lift fallen snow from the ground, drastically reducing visibility to near zero and creating treacherous mountain conditions.
In light of the forecast, authorities are urging extreme caution. Diari Catalunya reported a warning: “The episode will begin at 7 in the morning on Sunday and will not conclude until 4 in the afternoon. We urge the public to avoid unnecessary travel.”
Outlook for the Coming Week
This latest weather warning follows a period of unsettled conditions, including Barcelona’s recent high wind alert and torrential rain in other parts of Catalonia from Storm Regina.
However, the situation is expected to improve significantly as the new week begins. From Monday, stable, calm, and sunny weather is forecast. After the weekend’s cold snap, temperatures will recover, leading to very mild daytime conditions. Expect a notable difference between daytime and night-time temperatures, making dressing in layers advisable.
While the immediate forecast is clear, some long-range models suggest a possible return to unsettled, rainy weather towards the end of next week, although this remains highly uncertain.
