Climate - Barcelona (Catalonia)

The climate of Barcelona is Mediterranean, with mild, relatively rainy winters and hot, sunny summers.
The city is the capital of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia and is located in the north-east of Spain, on the Mediterranean coast.
Near the coast, the altitude reaches up to 177 meters (580 feet) on the Montjuic hill, which dominates the port. In inland areas, the altitude gradually increases up to about 200 meters (650 ft) in the neighborhoods at the foot of the sierra de Collserola, which culminates with the Tibidabo, the 512-meter (1,680 ft) high mountain that dominates the city.
The monthly average temperature ranges from 10 °C (50 °F) in January to 25 °C (77 °F) in August. Here are the average temperatures.

Due to the city's location on the east coast of Spain, rainfall is not abundant, in fact, the flow of Atlantic weather fronts comes from the west, so when they reach the city, they have already released moisture on the western and inland regions: for this reason, the inhabitants of central and southern Catalonia are accustomed to limiting water consumption.
However, the rains are more frequent in autumn and spring, that is, in the seasons in which the southerly currents, which can pick up moisture from the sea, are more frequent.
In a typical year, 620 millimeters (24.5 inches) of rain fall, with a maximum of 100 mm (4 in) in October. July is the driest month, with just 20 mm (0.8 in); in summer, the rains are rare, but thunderstorms can sometimes erupt in the afternoon, reaching the coast after forming in the interior.
Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to February, is mild, although different weather situations can occur. When the Azores High moves over Spain, there can be several mild and sunny days, with highs around 15 °C (59 °F). On the other hand, Atlantic fronts can bring clouds and rains for a few days.
Sometimes, even cold and windy days can occur, when cold air masses from eastern Europe arrive. The lowest temperatures in Barcelona are not particularly cold: on the coldest nights, the temperature typically drops around freezing. On average, there are only four days a year with a minimum below 0 °C (32 °F).
However, in February 1956, the temperature dropped to -6.5 °C (20.5 °F) at the airport and to -10 °C (14 °F) at the Fabra observatory, 400 meters (1,300 ft) above sea level near the top of Tibidabo. The coldest record in Barcelona was broken after the big Christmas snowfall of 1962 (see below), when the temperature dropped to -8 °C (17.5 °F) at the airport. More recently, in January 1985, the temperature dropped to -7 °C (19.5 °F). In the years 2000-2020, it dropped to -3.5 °C (25.5 °F) in February 2012.
Snowfalls in Barcelona are very rare, but not impossible; they are more frequent in the hills near the city. Here are the dates of some important snowfalls occurred in the past: January 15, 1914 (20 cm or 8 inches); February 21, 1933; February 17, 1938; February 18, 1942; February 21, 1948; Christmas 1962 (almost half a meter or one foot in the city, and 80 cm or 2.6 feet at the Tibidabo, the most abundant of the century); January 5, 1985; January 30, 1986 (blizzard, 5 cm or 2 inches in the city and 30 cm or 1 foot at the Tibidabo); March 1, 1993 (especially in the higher areas); December 14, 2001 (especially in the upper areas); March 8, 2010 (blizzard, 10 cm or 4 inches in the city, and 20 cm or 8 inches in the upper areas).

Summer, from mid-June to August, is hot and sunny, with highs close to 30 °C (86 °F). During the day, the sea breeze makes the heat more bearable, but nights are muggy.
The city is somewhat protected from heat waves that can affect other parts of Spain, but we can not exclude some particularly hot days, with peaks of 34/35 °C (93/95 °F). The heat record is 37.5 °C (99.5 °F), recorded in August 2003 and August 2010.

Spring and autumn are mild and relatively rainy, however, there is a fair amount of sunny days also in these periods. Sometimes, the rains in autumn can be abundant.

The amount of sunshine in Barcelona is acceptable in winter, when there are sunny days but also periods with cloudy skies, and very good in summer, when clear skies prevail.
On average, there are 2,500 hours of sunshine per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.



The temperature of the sea is warm enough for swimming from July to September, with a peak in August of 25 °C (77 °F). In June, the sea is still cool, around 20 °C (68 °F). Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Barcelona is spring, from mid-April to mid-June. September, too, is a good month, but it is quite rainy. Summer, from mid-June to August, can be hot and muggy, though it is the best time for a beach holiday. Winter is usually mild, but sometimes it can get a bit cold and it can rain.

Back to the climate of Catalonia.

Barcelona - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

---

In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Barcelona is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.8 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 5.5 °C (41.9 °F) and a maximum of 14.1 °C (57.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.7 °C (27.1 °F) in January 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 23.6 °C (74.5 °F) in January 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

In February, the weather in Barcelona is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.3 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 6 °C (42.8 °F) and a maximum of 14.6 °C (58.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.5 °C (25.7 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 24.1 °C (75.4 °F) in February 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

In March, the weather in Barcelona is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.3 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 8.1 °C (46.5 °F) and a maximum of 16.5 °C (61.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to -1 °C (30.2 °F) in March 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it reached 25 °C (77 °F) in March 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

In April, the weather in Barcelona is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14.5 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 10.4 °C (50.7 °F) and a maximum of 18.6 °C (65.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.2 °C (36 °F) in April 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 26 °C (78.8 °F) in April 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

In May, the weather in Barcelona is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.9 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 13.9 °C (57.1 °F) and a maximum of 21.9 °C (71.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 4.2 °C (39.6 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in May 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

---

In June, the weather in Barcelona is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.7 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 17.8 °C (64 °F) and a maximum of 25.6 °C (78.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it dropped to 8.7 °C (47.7 °F) in June 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87 °F). However, it reached 34.9 °C (94.8 °F) in June 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

---

In July, the weather in Barcelona is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 24.5 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 20.7 °C (69.2 °F) and a maximum of 28.4 °C (83 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (63 °F). However, it dropped to 12.7 °C (54.9 °F) in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (89 °F). However, it reached 34.8 °C (94.6 °F) in July 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (73.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

---

In August, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Barcelona is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 25.1 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 21.2 °C (70.1 °F) and a maximum of 29.1 °C (84.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (63 °F). However, it dropped to 13 °C (55.4 °F) in August 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 37.4 °C (99.3 °F) in August 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25 °C (77 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

---

In September, the weather in Barcelona is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.0 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 18 °C (64.3 °F) and a maximum of 26.1 °C (78.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (56 °F). However, it dropped to 10 °C (50 °F) in September 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) in September 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (73.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

---

In October, the weather in Barcelona is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.3 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 14.3 °C (57.7 °F) and a maximum of 22.4 °C (72.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4.1 °C (39.4 °F) in October 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 30.4 °C (86.7 °F) in October 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

---

In November, the weather in Barcelona is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.5 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 9.2 °C (48.5 °F) and a maximum of 17.7 °C (63.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1 °C (30.2 °F) in November 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it reached 25.8 °C (78.4 °F) in November 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

---

In December, the weather in Barcelona is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.5 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 6.3 °C (43.4 °F) and a maximum of 14.7 °C (58.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (35 °F). However, it dropped to -3.6 °C (25.5 °F) in December 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 21.9 °C (71.4 °F) in December 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 10 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.