Andorra Records Coldest Urban Morning in 5 Years at -17.2°C

Andorra experienced its coldest urban morning in at least five years on Wednesday, when VisualMeteo stations recorded -17.2°C at Fonts d'Arinsal—the lowest reading—followed by -11.3°C at Plans de Canillo, -9.9°C at La Cortinada, -9.8°C at Llorts, -9.4°C at Rubió, -7.8°C at Certés, -7.4°C at Encamp, -6.7°C at Escaldes Sa Calma, and -5.2°C in central Escaldes-Engordany. These marked the sharpest urban lows since 11 January 2021, during a cold spell that lasted about five days, though high-mountain areas may have seen comparable chills more recently.

The Servei Meteorològic d'Andorra kept its yellow alert for low temperatures in place until noon Wednesday. Clear skies overnight amplified the freeze, but morning sunshine and the ebbing Arctic air brought modest recovery, with temperatures remaining below zero nationwide despite the sun.

The cold peaked during Tuesday's Three Kings Day festivities, under northerly winds and mostly clear conditions. Monday saw clouds thin out, yielding highs of 7°C in Andorra la Vella, 2°C at 1,500 metres, and -8°C at Pas de la Casa, followed by overnight drops to -1°C in the capital, -5°C at mid-altitudes, and -12°C at Pas de la Casa.

Tuesday stayed bitterly cold with steady weather and occasional sun. Late-afternoon clouds from a front grazing northern peaks sparked brief snow showers that dissipated by evening, freshening snowpack on upper ski runs while causing icy roads in nearby Catalan lowlands.

A front moving through from midday Wednesday promised light snow above 1,000 metres, potentially rising to 1,700 metres overnight, mainly affecting the far north with brief wind gusts before conditions eased. The dry cold spell has so far spared Andorra significant snow, unlike lower areas elsewhere. Thursday's forecast called for daytime highs of 1°C in Andorra la Vella, -2°C at 1,500 metres, and -12°C at Pas de la Casa, with possible northern showers after midnight.