Barcelona prepares for a Friday of abrupt changes in the weather

Friday arrives with sunshine, wind and possible rain at the end of the day. The weather in Barcelona will be unpredictable and will affect those with outdoor plans. On Saturday, the wind could reach very intense gusts. Find out how the day will develop and what to expect over the weekend.

Those who live or work in Barcelona will need to stay alert this Friday: the weather promises a day of contrasts that may disrupt everything from travel to leisure plans. The day will begin with clear skies and mild temperatures, but the calm will not last long.

From early on, the westerly wind will blow with some force, particularly at dawn and in areas close to the Llobregat. As the morning progresses, conditions will be pleasant and sunshine will dominate, inviting people to make the most of terraces and walks around the city.

However, from midday onwards, the outlook will change. Cloud will steadily gain ground and, by the afternoon, the sky will become completely overcast. As night falls, light rain or scattered showers cannot be ruled out anywhere along the coast and in the metropolitan area, which could catch out those returning home late.

On Saturday, the situation becomes more complicated: a strong mestral wind is expected and could exceed 70 km/h in several neighbourhoods, especially in the south of the city. The authorities have activated the pre-alert phase of the Ventcat plan and recommend caution in the face of possible wind-related incidents.

Sunday will bring a respite, with more sunshine and fewer surprises, although the start of next week could again bring occasional showers due to the arrival of cold air aloft.

The forecast requires people to adapt their plans and not be lulled by the fine morning weather. Those with outdoor activities or journeys planned should keep an eye on changes and official alerts.

In Barcelona, episodes of strong wind such as that expected this Saturday are not unusual in winter. The mestral, a dry, cold wind that blows from the north-west, can cause falling branches, transport incidents and disruption to daily life. That is why emergency plans such as Ventcat are activated to coordinate the municipal response and minimise risks in a city as densely populated and active as the Catalan capital.