News
Barcelona wakes up to its most polluted air after the night of Sant Joan
Barcelona woke up on 24 June to its densest air after the night of Sant Joan. The mix of firecrackers, bonfires, and Saharan dust has raised the levels of suspended particles and left a muggy feeling and murky sky from early morning.
PM10 pollution, the particles that remain suspended in the air, has surged again during one of the city's most intense nights of the year. Fireworks and bonfire smoke have combined with a previous episode of dust haze, making air quality even worse.
The effects have been visible in the streets: less clarity on the horizon, a heavy atmosphere, and that dirty haze known in Barcelona as boirum. It's not just a visual issue. These kinds of episodes can especially affect people with respiratory problems, older adults, children, and those who spend many hours outdoors.
High particle values were recorded during the night, although for now the available data mainly reflect accumulated averages over the last 24 hours. This means that the strongest peaks, common during the early hours of Sant Joan, may be softened in the overall reading.
The Generalitat had already issued a preventive warning for air pollution in Catalunya on Tuesday due to PM10 levels. The arrival of African dust had triggered the alert even before the festival, and Sant Joan has added another layer of smoke and particles to an already delicate situation.
The preventive warning is activated when monitoring stations detect high concentrations of suspended particles. If these levels persist for several days, the situation could turn into a pollution episode, with stricter recommendations for the public and possible additional measures.
The forecast does not point to an immediate improvement. If the atmosphere does not help disperse the particles, Barcelona could continue to experience heavier air than usual over the coming days, especially during the most humid hours and in areas with more traffic or less ventilation.
Boirum is part of the city's climate vocabulary, but it is increasingly linked to more uncomfortable episodes. It occurs when humidity and pollution mix, creating an urban fog that doesn't cool but weighs down. After Sant Joan, that sensation becomes more visible and more bothersome.
The morning after the festival leaves a familiar scene for many Barcelonans: beaches being cleaned, streets with remnants of the party, and a sky that takes time to clear. Sant Joan marks the emotional start of summer, but also serves as a reminder that the celebration comes with an environmental cost that can be felt the next day.