What is the weather like in Madrid?
by Faye Davies
When people ask if I like living in Madrid, I say, ‘No one ever goes to bed and the sky’s always blue. What do you think?’ The former observation is a slight exaggeration (Sunday nights are quiet); but the latter is pretty much true.
Sun doesn’t always equate to heat, however. At the time of writing (early December) we’ve hardly seen a cloud for weeks, but the days are crisp (around 16ºC/61ºF), and the nights are positively bracing (average lows of 3ºC/37ºF). Snow will soon be gracing the nearby mountains of the Sierra, and may touch the city once or twice too.
Madrid is on the same line of latitude as New York, and dwellers of that city won’t be surprised to hear that the chilliness of winter here is balanced by the scorching heat of summer. In July and August temperatures sit stubbornly around 30º(86º), which can prove uncomfortable for many.
At the end of the day though, this is Europe; and outside the peaks of summer and winter, just about anything can happen. It does rain (typically in April and November), and seasonal bleeding isn’t uncommon – so bring your coat in June, and bikini in March.
Comments
Comment from Mel
Date: December 12, 2007, 2:05 pm
Katie’s right: the distance from the sea makes a big difference in humidity. There’s a handy graph here: http://www.spanish-fiestas.com/madrid/weather.htm.
Comment from ValenciaSon
Date: December 12, 2007, 4:42 pm
So what is the average temperature in Madrid during the month of April?
Comment from Colin Davies
Date: December 12, 2007, 6:15 pm
‘Seasonal bleeding’??
Comment from Faye
Date: December 13, 2007, 1:12 am
Like one colour of paint when it runs into another.
As for April, that’s a tricky one. This year I sunbathed in the Casa de Campo. But looking at my electricity bill, I can see I also had the heating on. The chart linked to above suggests between 6º and 16º is normal.
Btw, the most accurate weather site is (appropriately enough) accuweather.com, I find. You can get a forecast for up to two weeks.
Comment from DH Wall, About Spain Travel
Date: December 15, 2007, 3:25 pm
I was pretty happy with Madrid weather during a November visit. No jacket was required. Only a sweater. Sometimes it is colder though.
Comment from JAY
Date: December 15, 2007, 6:56 pm
What is the weather like in January and February? I will be in Madrid and want to prepare beforehand!
Comment from ben
Date: December 15, 2007, 8:50 pm
With any luck very sunny… but cold, like today… but sometimes you do get lovely warm days too.
Comment from Katie
Date: December 12, 2007, 12:36 pm
As a former resident of New York, I can vouch for the fact that the cold in Madrid doesn’t approximate the cold in New York, though people here complain like it does. The main characteristic of the weather in Madrid for me is dryness. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before–New York is quite humid. The sun, I swear, is also hotter here than in the States, even in winter.