Severe weather warnings for cold, snow and wind in Catalonia this weekend

Winter will truly arrive in Catalonia this weekend, with temperatures set to drop across the territory from Saturday afternoon.

The Catalan meteorological service, Meteocat, has issued a weather warning for wind and snow, starting at midday on Saturday.

The service forecasts more than 50 cm of snow above 2,000 metres on the northern slopes of the Pyrenees, with snow depths exceeding 10 cm above 900 metres, potentially dropping to as low as 700 metres.

On Sunday, snow is expected to fall throughout the day at altitudes of 800 metres, with some lower areas also experiencing snowfall.

Spain's Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has issued a red alert for snowstorms in the Val d'Aran, indicating an extreme risk, from 6 pm on Saturday until Sunday.

An accumulation of around 40 cm of snow is expected within 24 hours above 1,200 metres. Between 800 and 1,200 metres, lighter snow accumulations are anticipated.

For the Lleida Pyrenees, an orange alert has been issued due to an expected snow accumulation of 30 cm above 800-900 metres.

AEMET has also issued a wind warning for almost the entire Catalan coast, with gusts of up to 70 km/h.

The weather conditions could heavily affect traffic, particularly on Sunday, which coincides with the return of thousands of vehicles after a long weekend.

Civil Protection has advised citizens to keep an eye on weather forecasts and to cancel outdoor activities if necessary.

As for traffic, which may become particularly difficult on Sunday, authorities recommend carrying snow chains and even considering returning earlier if possible.