Catalunya is slowing getting back to normality after the snowstorm that hit the region yesterday, although more than 200,000 homes are still without power in the Girona area and some 168,000 primary and secondary pupils have had no school today.
 
The heavy snowfall that took Catalunya by surprise yesterday, has now been cleared away in much of the region, and the AP-7 motorway border with France was reopened at 11.30am after being closed since 6pm yesterday.  More than 9,000 lorries and trucks, unable to drive into France, had spent the night in makeshift parking lots in Jonquera (Girona) and other towns along the AP-7 route.

A total of 163 roads in the region are still affected by snow and ice and 36 have been closed completely.

100,000 homes, mostly in the Girona area, have no telephone service (half of which are without mobile 'phone service and half have no landline).

Court cases had to be cancelled in Girona today because of the problems on the roads as a result of the heavy snow fall and several flights into and out of the Girona-Costa Brava airport were cancelled.

168,000 children got the day off today as 486 schools remained closed because of the huge build-up of snow on the roads and the difficulties in operating school bus sevices.  A total of 870 school bus routes were cancelled.

In the city of Barcelona, which was brought to a total standstill yesterday, 24,857 pupils got the day off school, and many roads are still badly affected by snow and ice.

Yesterday's snowstorm meant that tens of thousands of people who were away from home had to find a bed for the night with friends or colleagues or in hotels, hospitals or centres set up specially by the city council.

As temperatures continue to drop, icy roads are expected to cause more problems tonight and tomorrow.