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Barcelona expects a warm August after breaking records in July
Barcelona faces August after a historic July for high temperatures. Last month was the warmest recorded in more than a century at the Observatori Fabra and brought very little rain to much of Catalonia, a combination that has shaped night-time rest, outdoor plans and the risk of fires.
Forecasts for the coming weeks keep heat in the leading role. Models point to temperatures above usual values, especially during the first half of the month, although not every day will reach the extreme intensity recorded in July.
In Barcelona, the main problem may again be the nights. Coastal humidity and high minimum temperatures make it difficult for homes to cool down, especially in the more densely built-up neighbourhoods and in flats with little ventilation or without air conditioning.
Beaches, swimming pools and climate shelters will continue to concentrate much of the activity during the middle hours. Walking, playing sport or visiting open spaces will be more bearable early in the morning or at dusk, when the sun loses intensity.
August may also bring more episodes of instability. The seasonal forecast indicates a higher-than-usual probability of precipitation, although that does not mean it will rain regularly or that the dryness accumulated during the summer will end.
Rain could arrive in the form of irregular storms and brief downpours. The interior, the pre-coastal area and mountain areas have a greater chance of receiving it, but a high-altitude cold-air situation could also bring intense showers to Barcelona and the coast.
The Mediterranean, with its high temperature, adds energy to these episodes. When humid air by the sea coincides with instability at higher levels, a quiet afternoon can end with heavy rain, gusts of wind and local problems in streets or underpasses.
The key will be to follow short-term forecasts, which are far more accurate than monthly trends. August looks set to be hot and changeable: there will be fully summery days, nights that are difficult for sleeping and the occasional storm capable of disrupting an afternoon at the beach, on a terrace or out for a walk in a matter of minutes.