Andorra Extends Orange Wind Alert for Storm Nils Amid Intensifying Weather Threats

Andorra's meteorological service has extended the nationwide orange wind alert for storm "Nils" until 3pm Friday, prompted by valley gusts that exceeded initial forecasts and caused trees to fall, blocking the CG-1 near Avinguda Salou in Andorra la Vella. Protection Civil has called on residents to avoid outdoor activities, particularly in exposed mountain areas where gusts could reach 90 km/h and may peak again around midday before the alert shifts to yellow.

Initial Wednesday forecasts from the service activated a yellow rain alert in northern parishes due to "Nils" fronts, with a warm front raising the snow line to 2,100-2,400 metres amid thickening clouds and late-day precipitation. A cold front overnight intensified rain, lowering the snow line to 1,500 metres by early Friday, while brief orange wind alerts targeted high elevations on Thursday. Gusts hit 90 km/h at altitude and 50 km/h in valleys, with no major disruptions to schools or daily life—unlike neighbouring Catalonia, where gusts over 100 km/h led to school closures, non-urgent healthcare suspensions, sports halts, VENTCAT activation, and ES-Alert warnings. Government spokesman Guillem Casal noted Wednesday that Andorra faced no comparable alarm, with impacts limited to high areas; national cross-country skiing championships at La Rabassa were cancelled, but no school ski trips were scheduled.

As "Nils" eases, "Oriana" has brought light snow since Friday morning across Andorra, with the snow line climbing to 1,500 metres by midday after a short break. A nationwide yellow snow alert runs until 3pm Friday except in the north, where it persists until Saturday midday amid heavier falls. Central and southern parishes expect clearer skies, though colder air overnight may drop the line below 1,200 metres locally. Northern winds will pick up from Friday evening, reaching 40 km/h gusts in valleys and triggering a yellow wind alert from 9pm Friday to Sunday morning.

An orange avalanche alert stays in place nationwide until Sunday, with level 3 (considerable) risk generally and potential level 4 (high) in the north on Saturday. Protection Civil has issued a prealert for Saturday's peak, forecasting orange wind alerts with gusts to 90 km/h in some valleys and over 120 km/h at peaks, plus moderate northern snow (up to 50 cm at northern summits, 30 cm at 2,000 m, 20 cm at 1,500 m, 10 cm at 1,200 m, and 5 cm at 1,000 m by evening). The snow line around 1,200 m could descend further, with northern parishes facing orange snow alerts and others yellow.

Parishes such as Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany have cancelled school carnival parades, shifting other events indoors or rescheduling them. Road crews are monitoring for preventive avalanche blasting. Authorities urge caution on roads, limited mountain travel, and checks of official updates amid ongoing snow, wind, and avalanche threats.