Storm Erminio Intensifies in Andorra, Closes Key Passes and Disrupts Ski Resorts

Storm Erminio has intensified, closing Port d'Envalira on Carretera General 2 under black-phase restrictions and triggering equipment checks in Canillo that are causing queues between Canillo and Soldeu, as well as northward toward Meritxell and El Tarter. Yellow-phase rules—mandatory winter tyres or chains, 60 km/h speed limits, and bans on motorcycles, mopeds, personal mobility vehicles, and trucks over 19 tonnes—apply on CG-2 from Canillo toward Pas de la Casa and El Tarter, CG-2 to Arcalís access, CG-3 from Arans and Serrat, and CG-4 toward Coll de la Botella. Port de Cabús remains closed for the season. French border routes RN-22, RN-20, and RN-320 require equipment with heavy truck bans; RN-320 at Coll de Puymorens is shut.

Protecció Civil has issued a prealert for snow nationwide from Wednesday midday until Thursday morning, then focused north, with strong northerly winds and avalanche risk reaching level 4 out of 5 in northern zones. Meteo has activated an orange snow alert in the north from Wednesday, shifting to yellow centrally by 9pm, alongside a yellow wind warning until Thursday morning and avalanche alerts through Wednesday. Winds from ongoing northerly flows could reach 70-80 km/h in valleys and 100-120 km/h at peaks through Friday midday, with gusts up to 90 km/h north today.

Snow has fallen heavily at high elevations, prompting preventive avalanche blasts at sites like Fonts and Soldeu, leading to temporary road closures and delays. The snow line sits around 1,200m, rising briefly to 1,500-1,600m Wednesday evening before dropping again overnight. Forecasts predict up to 40cm at 1,500m, 55cm at 2,000m, over 65cm above 2,500m, and 70cm in 24 hours or 100cm in 48 hours at summits. Conditions evolve from drizzle to rain then snow, worsening north with poor visibility.

Ski resorts report ongoing issues: Ordino Arcalís and Naturland fully closed, Grandvalira limited to lower slopes without sector links and skier buses, Pal Arinsal operating seven pistes in Pal with the Arinsal cable car stopped. Strong winds have affected cable transport at higher elevations. At Pas de la Casa, heavy fresh snow has snarled streets amid snow clearance delays and the departure of over 2,000 Portuguese festival-goers, complicating local movement.

Protecció Civil advises restricting mountain activities to ski resort pistes, securing balcony items, closing windows and doors, prioritizing public transport, checking the Mobilitat app, and ensuring vehicle readiness. COEX is monitoring roads for further blasts. Conditions should ease Thursday with northern snow fading, clearing skies elsewhere, and marked improvement Friday under high pressure, with temperatures rising to 14°C in Andorra la Vella.

Earlier disruptions included a Sunday crash on CG-2 between Bordes d'Envalira and Soldeu involving a French-registered car and Pas de la Casa bus, lightly injuring the 24-year-old driver; firefighters also removed a loose Serradells facade in 120+ km/h gusts. Authorities urge avoiding unnecessary high-route travel.