As cold snap sets in, first snow falls in Catalonia

As the cold front takes hold in Catalonia, the snow has also begun to fall in some regions where it is not the norm for this time of year.  Although many of the usual areas were covered in a white blanket today, especially in the Pyrenees, snow has fallen in lower-lying zones of the country below 200 metres altitude near the coast.

Parts of Girona, in northern Catalonia, were affected, and even the pre-coastal region of Tarragona, to the south of Barcelona, as well. The Catalan Metereological Service warned that some parts near the coastline below 200 metres might be whitewashed by the end of the day.

A magical sight for some, the snow can make life difficult. The Catalan Traffic Service warned that snow chains will be necessary on certain roads, specifically in or close to the Pyrenees mountains where 2 centimetres of snowfall had been recorded by midday.