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August will maintain the heat in Barcelona and could bring storms towards the end
August is shaping up in Barcelona to be warmer than usual, with highs above 30 degrees and nights when it will be difficult to cool homes down. The second half could bring more storms, although long-term forecasts still have a significant margin of uncertainty.
Night-time heat will be one of the most uncomfortable factors. Minimum temperatures may remain between 23 and 26 degrees for many days, values clearly above the usual average and sufficient to maintain a muggy atmosphere even in the early hours.
During the first half of the month, clear or lightly cloudy skies and dry weather will predominate. Highs will frequently exceed 30 degrees, while the high coastal humidity will make the perceived temperature even higher in the middle hours of the day.
Usual climate values help put these temperatures into context. August in Barcelona has an average close to 24 degrees, with average highs around 28 and lows of about 20. This year, the first forecasts point to several degrees more on many days, especially at night.
Humidity will also play an important role. With high average values during summer, the body becomes less effective at cooling itself and the sensation of heat increases. Flats with little ventilation or on upper floors will again be those that accumulate the most heat at the end of the day.
From the second week onwards, the possibility of a pattern change increases. The models contemplate more instability during the second half of August, with chances of showers and storms that could reach Barcelona and the coast after several weeks dominated by heat.
That does not mean it will rain continuously. Summer storms are very irregular and can pour intensely over a specific area while leaving hardly any water a few kilometres away. Dates and amounts can only be specified when only a few days remain.
August is not completely dry in Barcelona either: historically it brings around five days with precipitation and several dozen litres per square metre throughout the month. This year, the greatest chances of rain seem concentrated towards the second half.
For those staying in the city, the heat will continue to affect hours for walking, sport and rest for much of the month. Possible storms in the final stretch may bring occasional relief, but for now they are not expected to durably change an August marked by temperatures above the usual levels.