Andorra Upgrades Snow and Wind Alerts to Orange in North Amid Goretti Perturbation

Andorra's meteorological service has upgraded its warnings for intensifying snow and wind driven by the Goretti perturbation, issuing an orange alert for northern areas above 2,100 metres and a yellow alert across the rest of the country. The alerts activate from midday Friday and run at least until Sunday morning, with northern high elevations forecast to see over 50 cm of new snow accumulation.

The escalation reflects heavier precipitation from the perturbation's rear, building from Friday afternoon into Saturday. Weak snow showers will reach northern Andorra around dawn at about 1,300 metres, then intensify and spread nationwide by midday as the snow level drops rapidly to 900 metres or below. Snowfall will continue overnight and into Saturday morning, easing southward by midday but potentially lasting until evening in the north. Expected totals include more than 50 cm above 2,100 metres in the north, around 20 cm at 1,500 metres, and 5-7 cm at 1,000 metres by Saturday morning.

Northwest winds will pick up, with gusts of 40 km/h in valley floors and up to 100 km/h at peaks on Friday, or 90 km/h in high mountains. Conditions ease slightly by Saturday morning to 30 km/h in valleys and 70 km/h at altitude. The mix threatens severe blowing snow, poor visibility, and travel disruptions, especially in northern parishes. A yellow avalanche alert remains in place in the north until Sunday dawn.

Forecast lows have dropped to 1ºC in Andorra la Vella, -2ºC at 1,500 metres, and -10ºC to -12ºC at Pas de la Casa. Highs are now around 6ºC in Andorra la Vella, 4ºC at 1,500 metres, and -5ºC to 2ºC at Pas de la Casa.

Thursday begins with brief stability from a passing ridge, clearing low clouds under partly cloudy high-level skies, before clouds thicken and light precipitation arrives after midnight.

Civil Protection urges securing doors and windows, limiting travel or planning routes ahead, dressing warmly, and taking care on roads and in mountains.