Andorra Issues Yellow Alert for Heavy Snowfall in Pyrenees

Andorra's meteorological service has issued a yellow alert for intense snowfall starting above 1,500 metres from early Saturday until Sunday morning, amid a major winter episode forecast to bring up to 50 centimetres of fresh snow in parts of the southern Pyrenees and eastern sectors by Tuesday.

Precipitation began Friday morning following a calm night with thermal inversions and frost in valley bottoms. Minimum temperatures dipped to -6°C at Pas de la Casa and around -2°C in Andorra la Vella, with isolated snow flurries in the capital. The snow line rose progressively to 1,400-1,600 metres, delivering initial accumulations of up to 15 cm at 2,500 metres, 10 cm at 2,000 metres, and 5 cm at 1,500 metres. Conditions intensified Friday evening and are set to persist through Saturday and Sunday, potentially resuming Monday to Tuesday.

Two precipitation episodes driven by southerly and easterly winds are expected between Saturday and Tuesday, though their exact intensity remains uncertain. Models predict totals reaching 50 cm on southern Pyrenean slopes and over a metre in exposed eastern areas. Snow levels will fluctuate: 1,200-1,300 metres Friday, 1,400-1,500 metres Saturday, 1,500-1,600 metres Sunday-Monday, dropping to 1,400-1,500 metres Wednesday. Alternative forecasts suggest 45 cm at 2,500 metres, 25 cm at 2,000 metres, and 12 cm at 1,500 metres by Tuesday.

Authorities have warned of freezing rain risks in central valleys due to cold air trapped below inversions, even with milder lows than last week—such as -1.7°C at Borda Vidal and -1.3°C at FEDA. Municipal teams in Andorra la Vella salted streets and sidewalks Friday morning, including around the Rotonda, to prevent slips after last week's incidents. Protocols have been shared with communes, Civil Protection, and other agencies.

A yellow alert for moderate avalanche risk covers the entire country. Maximum temperatures will climb slightly over the weekend to 4°C in Andorra la Vella and -3°C at Pas de la Casa, with the 0°C isotherm at 1,700 metres midday before falling to 1,400 metres overnight. Officials urge caution, especially for early-morning travel in frost-prone areas, and close monitoring of updates. The front will also impact neighbouring Pyrenean regions, including a yellow alert from Catalonia's service for the western Pyrenees.