El tiempo en Barcelona

Unpredictability, spontaneity, full of surprises — these are good things under most circumstances and Barcelona is awash in all three, except when it comes to weather. The temperatures here are best described as varying shades of warm and cool, the winters are humid and mild, the summers dry and warm. Temperatures peak between mid-July and mid-August, giving everyone the perfect excuse to laze about on the beach. Spring and autumn bring a few rainy spells, but the average rainfall amounts to a scant 90 days. Cloud cover and storms are rather neat affairs: they arrive, they unleash their fury, they leave, generally returning blue skies and sunshine to the city in a matter of minutes or hours. In fact, Barcelona usually gets between 2,553.90 and 2,777.20 hours of sunshine every year! Snow is such a bizarrely unusual event that when it falls it turns most locals into giddy schoolchildren, running out to admire the wintry wonder. Barcelona is therefore an excellent destination throughout the year as long as you pack right and bring along an appropriate attitude for every season!

January:

January tends to conjure up images of bleak, slate-grey, wintry days and a bad tempered populace. In Barcelona the month might be chilly and quite windy, but it is mostly piercing blue skies and radiant sunshine. A few rainy days might pop up here and there, but compared to other months it is relatively dry. It is a month when city-life is particularly local in flavour and tourists are few and far between. Sight-seeing is particularly fun this time of year since the museums are not overrun, and the Pyrenees are just around the corner for a little skiing detour while you're here. So, pack a warm jacket and a scarf and get out of the grey doldrums for a dose of winter a la Mediterranean!

February:

While the snowdrifts lie thick and the northern sky hangs low and grey, Barcelona is awash in pink and white as the almond trees begin to blossom. The lower temperatures keep the summer haze away, making for some stunningly beautiful clear days — perfect for long walks through the city. February is one of the rainiest months so you might get caught in a few downpours, but they usually don't last very long. Duck into a charming café and wait out the storm over a warm café con leche while glancing through a local guide — you might find some hidden treasures that you wouldn't come across during the sweltering summer season.

March:

March and April are wild-cards: some years they bring along a lot of rain, whereas other years the days are prematurely warm and dry. When the rains do come, the storms tend to be short — passing as suddenly as they arrived. Spring sneaks up quickly around here, bringing the green back to the city's plantain trees and adorning the hillsides with the bright yellow explosions of the mimosa trees in bloom. As the sunlight takes on a warmer hue, life slowly moves back out onto the streets. Bring along a warm sweater and plenty of enthusiasm and you'll be in tune with the rising spirits of the local population.

April:

A few showers here and there do not take away from the exuberant feeling that sweeps through the city as spring finally moves in full-force. While the air is still cool enough for pristine, clear days, the sunshine is warm enough for t-shirts and sipping claras on an outdoor café terrace. April 23rd is Sant Jordi, a Catalan holiday celebrating love and literature which fills the city centre with book stands and rose vendors. Romance isn't the only thing to fill the air. Spring fever takes a hold of the city and you notice a palpable shift in energy as the days get longer and warmer.

May:

This might arguably be one of the finest months to visit the city — warm enough for just about every imaginable activity, yet too early for the massive summer tourism onslaught. If you are athletically inclined, pack your hiking boots and head into the woods or hop on a bicycle and whiz along the beach. The temperatures are perfect for all kinds of physical activity, from sight-seeing to rock-climbing, without breaking a sweat! A light cloud cover might welcome the morning hours and a little refreshing shower might catch you by surprise from time to time, but that's what umbrellas and rain jackets are for. Brave souls might even be daring enough to dive into the still chilly sea to take their first dip of the season.

June:

June is the month of weddings and falling in love and Barcelona is just the place to do so. The balmy air, the endless hours of sunlight, the promise of the long summer ahead are the perfect recipe for romance — or simply an irresistibly good time. June 24th is San Joan, a day when the sun doesn't set till after 10pm and Barcelona gets serious about letting the good times roll. Caught up in the early stages of summer madness, everyone heads to the beach for bonfires, fireworks, all-night dancing and whatever mischief one can get up to on one of the shortest nights of the year! If your tastes are less nocturnal, then the long days and gentle, dry weather are great for rafting in the mountains or taking a cycling trip through the countryside.

July:

Summer is in full swing, temperatures are on the rise and your time is best invested in working on that tan and keeping cool. Relief from the heat is provided by the city's long stretches of beach. When evening comes and ushers in the balmy nights, the city reawakens to life. Everyone seems to be taking it easy, whether they are a visitor on holiday or a local with a day job. The sense of languid fun that permeates the city is simply too strong to resist, even if you have to get up in the morning.

August:

August is when most locals flee the city for havens along the Costa Brava or head on vacations elsewhere. Temperatures can get into the mid to high thirties (Celsius) and hover there for days. Summer thunderstorms can erupt out of nowhere, but are usually over before you can duck for shelter. And with this heat, a short torrential downpour is like a gift from the gods. At least it's a break from the humidity, which — when combined with the heat — can sometimes make Barcelona seem like Bangkok. But, you're here on holiday so as long as you've packed a swimsuit, plenty of sunscreen and your party slippers you will be in fine form to survive the city's hottest month.

September:

September is Barcelona's birthday and it couldn't have chosen a better month. September 24th is the Mercé, the celebration of Barcelona's patron saint, a week-long run of festivities that includes everything from treasure hunts and traditional Catalan "castle-builders" to dj sessions and fireworks. The warm temperatures are moderate compared to the August heat, meaning you can comfortably run around during the day and head out at night. There is a greater chance of rain, but given the warm weather this should be no hindrance to fun. Just remember to bring along an umbrella!

October:

The temperatures grow cooler, the days shorter, but whereas October heralds the beginning of autumn in most countries in the northern hemisphere, here it is just the gentle conclusion of summer. Gone is the mind-numbing heat, meaning you can concentrate on other things besides summer romance and attractive beach folk, such as all the cool cultural stuff that Barcelona is famous for. The days are mild, prone to rain, but the showers are usually sporadic and brief.

November:

Traditionally colder and dryer than its predecessor, November is when autumn really sets in. It is a great time to head into the Catalan countryside and cycle or hike amidst the turning leaves. The air is still mild and pleasant, making it a good month for outdoor activities, and less visitors means that sight-seeing is easy and hassle-free.

December:

Usually a rather dry month (although this varies from year to year), December feels quite a bit milder than January and February, which constitute the wintriest months of Barcelona's so-called winter. People from anywhere warm and tropical might bundle up at this time, but most northerners would even scoff at the notion of a scarf. The clear, sunny days make for a rather odd Christmas, but the city does get into the spirit with inventive street decorations (always trying for a modern flair) and many street markets selling everything from homemade honey to designer Christmas lights.