Climatological averages, historical records, packing tips and best time to visit Barcelona during August. AEMET / ECMWF reanalysis 1991-2020.
Reference values based on 1991-2020 AEMET / ECMWF climatology. Year-to-year variation can be significant.
| Metric | Value | Date |
|---|---|---|
| All-time high | 39.8 °C | August 2010 |
| 24h rainfall | 156 mm | September 1962 |
| All-time low | -7.1 °C | January 1985 |
| Urban snowfall | 20 cm | March 2010 |
Official records (AEMET). Secondary stations may have more extreme readings.
In August, Barcelona typically shows sea breeze tempered summer. The average high temperature is around 29°C and the average low around 20°C, with monthly rainfall of 55 mm spread over roughly 5 rain days and about 277 hours of sunshine. Average relative humidity stands at 72% and wind speed averages 11 km/h.
The local calendar in August is shaped by Festes de Gracia (15-21), so checking the forecast a few days in advance is worth it before any outdoor activity. Averages give a general picture but extreme events can vary widely: in August, Barcelona has recorded both unusually warm spells and cold incursions across recent decades.
For a typical stay we recommend t-shirts, hat, water. UV protection is sensible on sunny days, even in a mild winter month, and a closed-toe waterproof shoe helps on damp days. For multi-day trips bring thin layers that you can combine through the day.
The first two weeks of August usually offer the best balance in Barcelona: moderate crowds, friendlier prices and weather that remains representative of the month. Late August starts showing features of the transition to the next month. Use our custom historical lookup to check the actual values for the exact year you plan to travel.
Of the twelve months, August is the warmest in Barcelona and the 10th wettest. It collects 28 mm, 6 % of the whole year’s rain, spread over 5.5 days with appreciable precipitation, of which 0.8 exceed 10 mm. The wettest is October.
Among the 50 Spanish cities with AEMET climatological normals on this site, in August Barcelona is the 38th warmest, with a mean maximum of 27.6 °C, and the 13th wettest. The wettest of them that month is San Sebastián, with 109 mm against Barcelona’s 28 mm.
Averages hide what can actually happen. At the Barcelona, Port Olímpic observatory, a August has reached 33.5 °C as an absolute maximum and 16.0 °C as a minimum: that is the real range to reckon with, not the 25.2 °C mean. Relative humidity runs around — % and mean wind 13.4 km/h.
AEMET climatological normals 1991-2020, Barcelona, Port Olímpic observatory (26 m above sea level). Sources and methodology → · Forecast for Barcelona →
