Andorra Issues Yellow Snow Alert Above 1,500m Through Sunday

Andorra's Meteorological Service has issued a yellow alert for snow above 1,500 metres starting from 3am Saturday and lasting until 3am Sunday, due to expected intense snowfall during the afternoon.

The alert stems from an Atlantic front bringing southerly winds and a levantada weather pattern linked to a low-pressure perturbation. Snowfall will intensify in the afternoon, particularly at mid and high elevations, with potential for heavy bursts in the late hours. Accumulations could reach 15cm of fresh snow at 2,500 metres, 10cm at 2,000 metres, and 5cm at 1,500 metres by Saturday evening. Over the full episode extending to Tuesday, totals may climb to 45cm at 2,500 metres, 25cm at 2,000 metres, and 12cm at 1,500 metres.

Saturday temperatures will see minima around 2°C in Andorra la Vella, -1°C at 1,500 metres, and -6°C at Pas de la Casa, with maxima of 6°C in the capital, similar at 1,500 metres, and -3°C at Pas de la Casa. The zero-degree isotherm will hover near 1,800 metres through midday and night. Winds will remain light from the south.

Sunday brings mostly cloudy skies with lighter precipitation as the front shifts toward the Mediterranean, though uncertainty remains. Avalanche risk stays high at level 4 out of 5 above 2,100 metres, especially in the eastern sector and north-facing slopes from west to northeast orientations. Strong summit winds have created unstable wind slabs, where even a single skier could trigger large avalanches.

Civil Protection and the Meteorological Service urge caution for mountain travel, ports, and winter sports, advising drivers and hikers to monitor updates closely.