Barcelona closes all parks due to strong winds

All public parks in the Catalan capital were closed on Tuesday morning due to the strong winds that forced the council to activate the alert phase of the municipal emergency plan.

Firefighters have had around 20 wind-related outings in Barcelona, while the 112 emergency hotline had already received 30 calls from concerned residents by 8 am.  

Wind along Catalan coast

Civil protection is also on high alert due to strong wind gusts along the Catalan coast as well as Catalonia's central and southern pre-coastal regions and has activated the Ventcat emergency plan. 

The agency advises residents to avoid walking on piers and along boardwalks as waves could be dangerous, to close windows and balcony doors at home and make sure they have no pots that can be swept away, as well as to be mindful of tree branches and other objects. 

Firefighters have responded to dozens of calls to remove fallen trees and branches, especially in the Tarragona area. 

The Meteocat weather service warns of wind coming in from the north and west, with strong gusts affecting the Alt Empordà area of the Costa Brava and the southern half of Catalonia Tuesday morning before easing around midday.