Andorra Faces Intense Winter Storms After Mild Years

Andorra and southern Europe are experiencing a stark shift this winter, moving from years of mild seasons with scant snow and high temperatures to repeated storms of unusual intensity. The change has disrupted mobility, safety protocols, and natural ecosystems across mountainous regions.

After prolonged periods of unusually warm winters that limited snow accumulation, this season has brought a series of relentless storms. Authorities prioritise avalanche management as a core challenge, with each event testing infrastructure and emergency response teams. The Meteorological Service and the COEX ecology unit note that temperatures remain within typical ranges, but the frequency and force of the storms mark this winter as atypical.

Wildlife and plant life, long adapted to softer conditions, now face rapid adjustment pressures. Some native species show resilience, while others struggle to regain balance. Invasive species find fewer opportunities to spread amid the harsh weather. Experts emphasise that these swings underscore climate instability, manifesting not as a return to historical cold but as abrupt extremes driven by broader climatic shifts.

The pattern extends beyond Andorra, affecting southern Europe's highland areas and prompting ongoing vigilance for roads, ski operations, and environmental monitoring.