Cold wave in Catalunya: Barcelona wakes to 6 °C while the Pyrenees freeze

A cold wave has been sweeping across Catalunya since the early hours of Thursday 20 November, causing a widespread drop in temperatures that will continue until the weekend. Minimum and maximum temperatures are falling across the territory, while weather services activate warnings for extreme cold and possible snowfall.

According to Meteocat and AEMET, snow could appear on the northern side of the Pyrenees, where the snow line drops to 1,200 and even 1,000 metres. Vall d’Aran could also receive snowfall in the coming hours.

In Barcelona, the thermometer ranges from a low of 6 degrees to highs of 11–12, figures that contrast with the intense cold in other parts of Catalunya. The Catalan capital is experiencing relatively mild conditions compared with last night's freezing readings.

Among the coldest municipalities on this 20 November are Das (Girona), with the lowest minimum of –6.5 °C, followed by Guixers (–3.9 °C) and Puigcerdà (–3.7 °C). Other localities such as Molló, Bonabé, el Pont de Suert, Puig Sesolles, Sant Pau de Segúries, la Vall d’en Bas and Vic have also recorded sub-zero values.

The cold will persist until Saturday, but a slight rise in temperatures is expected on Sunday. In Barcelona, thermometers will rise to a high of 14 °C and a low of 8 °C, with cloudy skies. Rain could arrive on Monday along with a further rise in temperature, reaching a high of 17 °C and a low of 11 °C.

Forecasts indicate that the cold will return next Thursday, with highs of 13 °C and lows of 9 °C in Barcelona under clear skies. Cold and snow warnings remain active in mountainous areas.