A mass of cold air from northern Europe has abruptly ended Catalonia’s mild, spring-like weather. This change ushers in cooler temperatures, widespread showers, and fresh snowfall in the Pyrenees.

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This abrupt shift replaced pleasant sunshine with grey skies and rain on Sunday, a classic sign of a passing cold front displacing a warmer air mass. Reports from Catalan news outlet Ara indicated that by Sunday evening, several areas had accumulated between 2 and 8 litres of rainfall per square metre. Espolla, in the Alt Empordà region, recorded the highest at 8 l/m².

Monday’s Forecast: Lingering Showers and Mountain Snow

Instability will continue through Monday morning. Forecasts from the Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya (Meteocat) indicate persistent showers, particularly affecting coastal and pre-coastal areas, central Catalonia, and the northeast. Localised thunderstorms and hail are also possible at lower altitudes.

In the mountains, the cold air will be felt more keenly. Snow is forecast for the Pyrenees, especially in eastern counties like Ripollès, with the snow line expected to drop to around 1,400 metres. While significant accumulations are not expected, between 5 and 10 cm of fresh snow could settle on the highest peaks. This blend of rain and mountain snow is a recurring regional theme, reminiscent of past severe weather events that mark the changing seasons.

Strong northerly winds, known as the tramuntana, will also characterise the day. They will particularly affect the northern tip of Cap de Creus, creating choppy sea conditions. Regional temperatures are expected to remain cool, with daytime highs hovering between 17°C and 20°C.

A Volatile Week Ahead

Forecasters are predicting a volatile week of weather, with a brief return to milder conditions before another cold snap arrives.

An anticyclone will bring calmer, more pleasant weather on Tuesday and Wednesday, with temperatures climbing noticeably. However, this respite will be short-lived. Another sudden change looms for Thursday afternoon and Friday, as a new weather system brings a more significant drop in temperature, which meteorologists describe as a shift “from spring back to winter.”

This second cold blast is expected to be more intense, particularly in inland counties. The Pyrenees snow level could fall as low as 1,000 metres or even slightly below. The tramuntana will also return with force, with gusts potentially exceeding 100 km/h in Cap de Creus and the Pyrenees, raising concerns of blizzard-like conditions on high mountain passes. Such conditions have previously prompted authorities to issue warnings, as seen during past events when Catalonia braced for red alert winds and arctic conditions.

This pattern of fluctuating conditions is typical for early spring in Catalonia, an autonomous community on the Iberian Peninsula known for its diverse geography and variable climate. Residents should stay updated with the latest information from official sources such as Meteocat and Spain’s national State Meteorological Agency (AEMET).