Andorra Schools Proceed with Ski Trips Amid Storms Harry and Ingrid

Andorra's Ministry of Education continues to follow established protocols for school ski trips despite disruptions from storm Harry earlier this week and looming threats from storm Ingrid, which is set to bring widespread snow starting early Saturday.

Storm Harry on Tuesday brought unexpectedly heavy snow, including 26 cm at Envalira, 25 cm at Cabourreu, and 20-22 cm at Fontverd and Grau Roig. Lower elevations saw 5-8 cm, triggering yellow alerts on roads such as CG-2 from Envalira, CG-3 from Serrat, and CG-4 from Pal. Snow reached central parishes by midday, requiring tyre chains and 60 km/h speed limits.

Parental and staff concerns over icy roads and poor slope visibility led some to urge cancellations. Civil Protection handles area-wide decisions, with forecasts showing no general high danger. Schools could cancel independently, and two or three did so after assessments. To avoid clashing with regular bus services, nationwide ski returns were brought forward, reducing afternoon congestion. In Pal, students used the Massana cable car after a road issue for faster descent. Operations proceeded without major problems, aside from small logistical issues.

Foreign buses lacking chains blocked CG-2 at La Trava in Canillo around 9:45 a.m., with eight vehicles halting traffic; police issued €500 fines to each over 3.5 tonnes, towed two, and fixed one mechanical fault. Clearance took more than 90 minutes. Massana handed out six additional fines. Comuns in Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, and Massana treated streets against ice, while Civil Protection urged checking avalanche bulletins, staying in equipped areas with shovels, probes, and transceivers, and avoiding going alone. COEX asked drivers to give way to snowploughs.

Avalanche blasting persists: CG-2 at Soldeu tonight at 10 p.m. for Guardiola, CG-3 at Arcalís tomorrow at 7 a.m. for Hortell, and French RN20/RN320 closed Wednesday from 8:15-9 a.m. between L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorra and Exergue. Risk stays at 4/5 above 2,100 m.

French-system schools postponed ski weeks for up to 11 fifth-year classes due to transport limits, affecting other timetables.

Storm Ingrid will deliver snow across all elevations above 900 m from around 6 a.m. Saturday, initially nationwide but easing northward by evening. The meteorological service has activated a yellow alert for snow buildup, wind, and avalanches, with the avalanche warning holding through Saturday and wind risks from midday Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday, potentially cutting visibility. Light snow from cold air may start overnight into Saturday morning, strengthening briefly Saturday afternoon before fading. On Sunday, the system moves toward northern Italy via France, bringing northwest winds, clouds from mid-morning, intermittent afternoon snow, and persistent falls into the night mainly in the north.

Temperatures drop sharply: Saturday lows of -3°C and highs of 2°C in Andorra la Vella, -11°C to -7°C at Pas de la Casa; Sunday -6°C to 4°C in the capital, -11°C to -6°C at Pas. Conditions are forecast to improve by midweek.