Snow covers central and western Catalan towns

Snow has fallen across several parts of Catalonia overnight and on Monday morning, especially in western and inland regions.

Over 10cm of snow has fallen in places such as Santa Coloma de Queralt, in the Conca de Barberà county.

Up to 5cm of snow has fallen in parts of pre-coastal Tarragona and Barcelona, while a thickness of between 3-4cm has fallen in most other places.

The head of forecasting at the Meteorological Service of Catalonia (Meteocat), Santi Segalà, said that the snowfall will be limited to only the pre-coastal areas by the afternoon.

The snow is expected to be heaviest in the afternoon in the inland parts and in the northeastern regions.

Temperatures are below 0°C in much of the country, except for the coastal and pre-coastal parts.

"A good gift for Kings"

Picture-postcard landscapes were seen in central Catalonia, with many families going out to enjoy the occasion.

Mònica took her children to the Igualada central park to enjoy the rare occasion, and she told the Catalan News Agency that they "didn't expect so much snow." She described it as a "good gift for Three Kings."

Sergio also brought his children to the same park. "We have been waiting all week for this. Yesterday they said that maybe it wouldn't snow, and when we woke up, we found everything covered in snow. The children are delighted," he said.

The Igualada city council has activated the Municipal Action Plan for snowfall and some roads have been closed.

Civil Protection warnings

Civil Protection say the snowfall will intensify during the morning and that the minimum temperatures will be at the end of the day.

Authorities recommend checking stoves and boilers to avoid incidents and ask citizens to be especially cautious when traveling to Three Kings Parades this afternoon.

Civil Protection also asks to check the weather and traffic conditions before traveling and to go appropriately equipped, with a full tank of gas in the car, chains for wheels, and a fully charged mobile phone, in the event of incidents.

Impact on crops

Farmers expressed some "concern" about the impact the snowfall may have on some crops, such as olive trees, especially in areas where it is not usual to see such intense frosts.

They warn that the cold snap can affect both the tree and future production and ask farmers to be cautious and to document possible damage.