Heavy Snow Disrupts Andorra Roads, Closes Ordino Arcalís Amid Avalanche Risk

Heavy snowfall has severely disrupted roads across Andorra, prompting heightened equipment checks, traffic restrictions and the closure of Ordino Arcalís ski resort amid a level 4 avalanche risk.

Intense snow began falling nationwide on Saturday afternoon, worsening through Sunday night and into Monday morning, with accumulations of 10 to 40 cm reported in areas like Encamp, Sorteny and Envalira antennas. Strong winds, gusting up to 120 km/h at high elevations, compounded visibility issues in northern parishes such as Canillo and Ordino. The Meteorological Service issued a yellow alert for snow and wind, linked to the Ingrid weather system, while updating the avalanche bulletin to level 4 out of 5, triggering a nationwide pre-alert from Civil Protection.

Road conditions deteriorated rapidly, especially in higher parishes. Minor accidents occurred without serious injuries, including a collision between two cars in central Canillo, a single-vehicle crash near Meritxell sanctuary and another between Anyós and l'Aldosa. Traffic jams formed in Canillo, The Tarter, Encamp and La Massana entrances. Mobility services activated yellow phase on stretches of CG-2 from Encamp, CG-3 from Ordino, CG-4 from Erts and La Massana, and black phase on CG-2 at Coma de Ransol and Port d'Envalira, plus CG-3 to Arcalís. Winter equipment became mandatory on RN22, RN20 and RN320, with bans on vehicles over 19 tonnes entering France. The French border via RN22 remained closed Monday for cleanup and vehicle removal.

Police and circulation services intensified chain and winter tyre checks, issuing fines to non-compliant drivers, including buses heading north. Dense morning traffic exacerbated delays, leading the Public Function department to urge teleworking where possible. School ski trips were suspended, with families notified by SMS; school buses advanced by 15 minutes Monday, and lines linking high parishes to central valleys were reinforced.

Ordino Arcalís stayed shut all Sunday and Monday due to heavy snow buildup and avalanche danger, despite high tourist numbers. Affected skiers with Nord Pass or Andorra Pass forfaits could switch to Pal Arinsal or Grandvalira, with compensation offered for another day this season. Preventive avalanche blasts were conducted by the Road Conservation and Exploitation Area (COEX) at sites including Arcalís-Les Fonts, Ransol, Creussants and Torradella, with monitoring ongoing for exposed zones like Arinsal-Les Fonts and Soldeu-Guardiola.

Civil Protection advised limiting mountain outings to ski resort pistes, avoiding unnecessary trips, anticipating travel and carrying safety gear—DVA, shovel, probe—for off-piste activities. Further light snow was forecast Sunday afternoon from 1,200 m dropping to 900 m, peaking overnight with 30-35 cm on France-border peaks, 20-25 cm at 2,500 m, down to 3 cm below 1,200 m. Precipitations were set to ease Monday morning with some clearings, though winds persist at 70 km/h aloft. Authorities continue monitoring via the Mobility app and Meteorological channels.