Andorra Issues Orange Wind Alert and Snow Warnings Through Monday

Andorra's meteorological service has issued an orange alert for violent winds persisting until 6pm Saturday, with gusts exceeding 90 km/h in valleys and over 120 km/h at peaks, before downgrading to yellow into Tuesday. A separate yellow alert is active until 3pm Saturday for snow accumulation in the north, alongside avalanche risks through Monday. These updates follow an initial forecast of winds easing by early afternoon.

Snow has already blanketed much of the country early in spring, with fresh accumulations whitening the south and exceeding 30cm in northern areas. Starting with low cloud in the far north Saturday morning, precipitation spread south from midday, intensifying with the front's passage. Northern snowfalls gained prominence through the day, complicating mountain roads.

Looking ahead, another front will bring generalized snow Sunday from around 700m elevation, creating fully wintry conditions on Palm Sunday. Accumulations could reach 30cm on extreme northern peaks, 15-20cm at 2,000m, 10cm at 1,500m, and 3cm in lower, central, and southern zones overnight Saturday into Sunday. An orange wind alert activates from 3am Sunday to midday, with peaks of 95 km/h in valleys and over 130 km/h at summits, easing afterward to 70 km/h and 120 km/h respectively. Temperatures rise slightly Saturday but fall Sunday, with overnight lows of -2°C in Andorra la Vella and -14°C at Pas de la Casa, and daytime highs of 6°C in the capital and 1°C at 1,500m.

Civil Protection maintains pre-alert status, advising residents to secure balcony and terrace items, seal windows and doors, restrict travel on foot or by vehicle, drive carefully—especially vulnerable groups—and prioritize caution for holiday mountain trips. For snow-impacted northern roads, complete journeys early, monitor the mobility app and official social media, fit mandatory winter equipment, and prefer public transport.

All departments, including the meteorological service, Civil Protection, mobility, COEX, and emergency units, continue tracking developments at www.meteo.ad. Safety advice for snow, ice, and wind is available on Civil Protection's website.