Andorra Activates Pre-Alert for High Winds, Heavy Snow and Avalanches

Andorra's Civil Protection department has activated a pre-alert following a nationwide orange warning from the Meteorological Service for strong winds this Saturday, driven by the advancing Oriana weather perturbation.

The system will shift winds to a northerly direction, intensifying throughout the day and peaking in the afternoon with gusts up to 90 km/h in some valley floors and over 120 km/h at high summits. Winds will blow across the country all day.

Snowfall is also forecast nationwide, prompting ongoing warnings: yellow in central and southern parishes for light intensity, and orange in the north for moderate levels. The snow line starts around 1,200 metres, dropping to any elevation by evening. Accumulations could reach 50 cm at northern peaks, 30 cm at 2,000 m, 20 cm at 1,500 m, and 10 cm at 1,200 m. By Saturday evening, up to 5 cm may settle at 1,000 m.

Avalanche risk rises to level 4 (high) this afternoon in the north on a scale of 5, exacerbated by winds reducing visibility in high parishes and mountain areas while destabilising snow cover.

Several parishes have altered Carnestoltes events, such as the Rei Carnestoltes hanging, shifting them indoors or to other days.

Civil Protection urges limiting mountain outings to ski resort pistes, avoiding unnecessary travel, and checking road conditions via the mobility app and official social media. Vehicles must carry winter equipment, with public transport preferred. For winds, secure balcony objects, wear protective clothing—especially for vulnerable groups—and limit outdoor activities.

The Road Conservation and Maintenance Area (COEX) will monitor for potential preventive avalanche blasts in exposed zones. The pre-alert runs from midnight tonight until Sunday morning.