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Barcelona looks to the sky: heat, mugginess and the possibility of storms
This Thursday afternoon looks changeable in Barcelona and much of Catalonia. Although heat will continue to dominate the atmosphere in the Catalan capital, the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) keeps rain and storm warnings active in part of the province, especially because storm cells may develop during the last hours of the day.
In the city of Barcelona, stable weather will prevail for much of the afternoon, with temperatures close to 30 degrees and a strong muggy feeling due to humidity. However, increasing cloud cover from mid-afternoon could bring an isolated shower or occasional storm, although the risk is considerably lower than in the inland counties.
The situation will be more complicated inland in the province and in the Pre-Pyrenees, where AEMET forecasts locally heavy storms capable of bringing abundant rain in a short time, accompanied by hail and strong gusts of wind. Rainfall will be very uneven, so some localities may experience intense storms while others barely notice the change.
On the coast, light wind will continue to blow, with the usual sea breeze in the afternoon, which will help moderate temperatures slightly. Even so, humidity will remain high and keep the perceived temperature above that shown by the thermometers.
Those planning to travel to mountain areas or undertake outdoor activities inland in Catalunya should keep a close eye on weather developments. Storms can form quickly and cause abrupt changes in weather conditions during the final hours of the day.
The episode confirms the usual contrast of the Catalan summer: while the coast retains a predominantly stable atmosphere, accumulated heat favours the development of storms inland during afternoons. This difference can alter the plans of people travelling between Barcelona and other counties, especially on days of strong atmospheric instability.