Andorra to Add Three New Weather Stations in Valley Floors
The expansion in Encamp, Sant Julià de Lòria, and La Massana will enhance data for avalanche risks, wildfires, storms, and civil protection, announced on World Meteorological Day.
Key Points
- Andorra to install 3 new weather stations in valley floors of Encamp, Sant Julià de Lòria, and La Massana.
- Network expands from 28 to 31 stations for better avalanche, wildfire, storm, and civil protection data.
- Announcement by Secretary David Forné on World Meteorological Day.
- Stations operational by late summer to improve coverage in mountainous terrain.
Andorra's National Meteorological Service plans to install three new weather stations this year in the valley floors of Encamp, Sant Julià de Lòria, and La Massana, increasing the total network from 28 to 31 stations nationwide.
Secretary of State for Energy Transition, Transport, and Mobility David Forné made the announcement Tuesday during a World Meteorological Day event at the former Radio Andorra transmitter room. The March 23 observance, themed "Today's observation is tomorrow's protection," was rescheduled to improve turnout and attracted about 30 attendees.
Forné emphasized Andorra's mountainous terrain, where abrupt weather shifts directly influence tourism, mobility, and natural risk management. He noted that valley floors have historically been the least covered areas and explained that the new stations—due for installation in spring and summer, with full operation by late summer—will deliver more precise data for avalanche risk bulletins, wildfire predictions, severe storm alerts, and Civil Protection warnings.
The existing network provides broad territorial coverage, supported by energy firm FEDA, which enables more frequent and advanced public alerts. "These data are not just numbers; they are knowledge, anticipation, and safety," Forné stated. He described the stations as essential for professionalizing the service and informing both public policies and private actions. "We had the valley floors least covered," he added, underscoring how the expansion will refine decision-making.
Forné also highlighted the role of global observations from satellites, sensors, and weather balloons in protecting lives and the economy, alongside science and international cooperation in enhancing societal resilience.
The event featured a roundtable with experts from the Catalan Meteorological Service, Andorra's National Meteorological Service, FEDA, and Civil Protection. Participants discussed meteorological data's applications in precipitation detection, energy management, climate tracking, and safety protocols.
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Other articles from Catalan-language sources about the same story:
- Diari d'Andorra•
Meteorologia reforçarà la xarxa amb tres noves estacions al fons de vall
- ARA•
Forné destaca que l’observació meteorològica és clau per protegir el futur
- Bon Dia•
Forné anuncia que hi haurà tres estacions meteorològiques més
- El Periòdic•
La xarxa meteorològica augmentarà fins a les 31 estacions amb tres nous punts a Encamp, la Massana i Sant Julià
- Altaveu•
La xarxa meteorològica guanyarà noves estacions a Sant Julià, Encamp i la Massana
- Diari d'Andorra•
Meteorologia reforçarà la xarxa amb tres noves estacions al fons de vall