Andorra Extends Yellow Alerts for Intensifying Snow, Winds, and Avalanches
Precipitation above 1,200m disrupts roads and prompts equipment checks as winds gust to 100km/h and avalanche risk stays at level 3.
Key Points
- Snow intensifies above 1,200m with accumulations up to 35cm at 2,500m; road restrictions on CG2, CG3, CG4/5.
- Winds gust 60km/h in valleys, 100km/h at peaks; avalanche risk level 3/5.
- Temps drop to -10°C at altitude; police enforce winter equipment checks.
- Alerts lift Sunday with improving weather; avoid non-essential mountain travel.
Andorra's National Meteorological Service maintains yellow alerts for snow, strong winds, and avalanche risk as Saturday afternoon precipitation intensifies above 1,200 metres, complicating road travel and prompting equipment checks by police and traffic services.
The warnings, activated from 6pm Friday amid a cold front linked to the Chandra disturbance and an Atlantic perturbation, have evolved through the weekend. Intermittent rain from midday Friday gave way to rapidly dropping snow levels overnight to around 1,200 metres, affecting mid-altitudes and occasionally populated zones. A morning pause in central and southern parishes ended as snow resumed generally above 1,100 metres in the afternoon, with intense falls reported from La Massana upwards, including the Cortinada area. Forecast new accumulations include 35cm at 2,500m, 20cm at 2,000m, 10cm at 1,500m, and 4cm at 1,000m. Overnight Friday saw light precipitation up to 1.2mm in Sorteny, while winds already peaked at 112km/h at Tossa d’Espiolets, building early snow packs.
Saturday winds strengthened to gusts of 60km/h in valleys and 100km/h at peaks, reducing visibility and heightening the chill. Avalanche danger remains at level 3 of 5, with officials urging caution in mountain areas. Overnight lows hit 0°C in Andorra la Vella, -2°C at 1,500m, and -10°C at Pas de la Casa; daytime highs reached 9°C in the capital, 6°C mid-mountain, and -4°C at altitude.
Road disruptions persist under phase yellow restrictions on CG2 from Tarter, CG3 from Ordino, and CG4/5 from Erts due to snow and ice. Dense traffic and queues affect southern entrances to Encamp, Canillo, and La Massana. Controls now verify winter equipment to prevent skids, with advice to carry chains, blankets, full fuel, and charged phones—or avoid non-essential trips amid snow, ice, and gusts.
Northern snow alerts run until Sunday morning, while wind and avalanche warnings cover all Saturday. Conditions should improve Sunday with easing winds, high clouds giving way to clearer skies and sun by midday. Drivers and mountain-goers should track official updates.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources:
- Altaveu•
La neu que s'ha intensificat aquesta tarda torna a portar controls d'equipaments a la carretera
- Diari d'Andorra•
Activada la fase groga en diversos trams de la xarxa viària per neu i mal temps
- Diari d'Andorra•
Alerta per forts vents a Catalunya
- ARA•
Nevades generalitzades dissabte a partir dels 1.100 metres
- El Periòdic•
El pas d’un front activa un avís groc per neu, vent fort i risc d’allaus a tot el país per a aquest cap de setmana
- ARA•
El Servei Meteorològic activa avisos grocs per neu, vent i risc d’allaus
- Altaveu•
Avís groc per neu i vent a partir per la propera matinada i tot el dissabte
- Diari d'Andorra•
Avisos grocs a Andorra: per neu, vent intens i perill d’allaus aquest dissabte
- ARA•
Nevada a cota 1.200 per al vespre