The train connection via the Mediterranean Corridor between the Valencian Community and Catalonia will be completely cut off between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Thursday.
The infrastructure manager, Adif, has ordered this precautionary measure to prevent incidents in view of the extreme risk of gales.
This temporary suspension is in response to forecasts by the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) and emergency warnings that the powerful storm Pedro will leave in its wake gusts that could exceed 120 kilometers per hour, with particular virulence along the coast and pre-coastal areas of Catalonia.
Although the windstorm will sweep across much of the eastern part of the peninsula, the areas most affected in the territory will be the axis connecting Castellón with southern Catalonia, as well as various inland regions.
In these areas, the wind is expected to reach its peak between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday.
The five-hour blockage of this crucial railway line could be extended or reduced depending on how the storm behaves throughout the day.
For the time being, Adif does not plan to cancel journeys on other medium or long-distance routes to or from Valencia, but is keeping a close watch on weather conditions.
The Catalan authorities insist that the warnings for extreme gusts will remain in force until midday on Friday in Catalonia.
Therefore, they are asking all passengers with scheduled tickets to check the status of the service through official channels before going to the stations (such as Joaquín Sorolla or Estació del Nord), in order to avoid unwanted waits and crowds.