The snowfall in the Pyrenees complicated traffic on up to a dozen roads in Lleida during the last few hours, with several sections where in the morning it was mandatory to drive with chains and with new incidents in the early afternoon. The wind storm also caused problems on Girona's road network, where a dozen roads were affected by falling trees.
Roads with chains and cuts in the Lleida Pyrenees
During the morning, the use of chains was mandatory on the C 13 between la Guingueta d'Àneu and Esterri, on the C 142b between Salardú and Naut Aran, on the C 147 between Esterri d'Àneu and Alt Àneu and on the C 28 between Salardú and Esterri d'Àneu. They were also required on the L 500, in la Vall de Boí, on the L 504, in Lladorre, and on the L 510, in Alins.
The episode came accompanied by strong wind, that lifted the snow from the roadway and hindered visibility in several mountain points.
In the early afternoon, the use of chains remained mandatory on the C 28 in Alt Àneu and on the L 500 in the Vall de Boí. In addition, the C 142b and the C 28 between Salardú and Alt Àneu remained closed. In parallel, traffic was closed for motorcycles on the C 14 between Basella and Coll de Nargó.
Gusts of more than 120 km h at high altitudes
The entry of a northerly gale in Catalonia left gusts exceeding 120 km h in high altitudes of the Pyrenees. In the northernmost part of Alt Empordà and in Berguedà, the wind reached close to 170 km h.
At 12:00 p.m. this Sunday, 168.5 km h were recorded in Portbou coll dels Belitres and another 168.5 km h in the Sanctuary of Queralt. In the Darnius Boadella reservoir, 141.5 km h were reached, in La Tunda de Alp 130 km h, in Berga 127 km h and in Navata 115.9 km h.
Fallen trees and damages in Girona
The storm also had an impact in the demarcation of Girona. A dozen roads were affected by the fall of trees, with incidents distributed among the regions of Alt Empordà, Garrotxa, Ripollès and Gironès.
The situation maintained restricted circulation in a good part of the Pyrenees and the Catalan northeast throughout the day, with special attention on the mountain sections where the snow and the wind continued complicating driving.