Weather
Spain has got an absolutely fabulous climate. Hell, let’s be honest: I came to Spain in part because of its killer climate. While this whole global warming fiasco is definitely changing up the scene a bit, there are some things you can count on.
November through March it’s pretty cold. It doesn’t actually snow in Madrid (well, technically, you could argue that on rare occasions flakes can fall, but they certainly don’t stick) but it does get quite cold (say, 40 degrees Fahrenheit/6 degrees Celsius). If you plan on coming in wintertime, there are still tons of activities to enjoy (both outdoors and indoors), but bring your winter coats and hats.
Spring hits in around April and sticks around for about two months. The temperature gets warmer (think in the 60s/around 15ºC), the days slightly longer, and the streets start to get crowded. A good sign that spring is here are the thousands of bars who set up their terraces on the sidewalks and in the squares, which quickly fill up until the wee hours of the morning.
June: summer begins. It lasts through October, and temperatures can go all the way up to 90 degrees (around 30ºC). It’s not a pretty sight but I will say this: it’s not at all humid. Madrid is hot but very dry, unlike other places on the coast such as Alicante, for example, where the humidity will leave you sticky and utterly grossed out. Summer in Madrid is a great season: the streets are heaving, there are tons of outdoor activities to enjoy, and the swimming pools are open. Most Spaniards head to the beach for the entire month of August, so it is noticeably quieter in the capital, but there is still plenty to do. Also keep in mind that Spaniards don’t all wholeheartedly believe in air conditioning, and prefer to a) complain, and b) fan themselves with little handheld fans. Needless to say it seldom cools you off, but hey, when in Rome…
Fall takes shape in October and November, as temperatures fluctuate between warm and cool, with cool finally winning the battle. It’s a great time in the city because as it’s not full-fledged winter, there are still plenty of people in the streets and outdoor activities and events abound. Temperatures are usually in the 50s (10ºC).
Rainfall is difficult to calculate, as 2008 was the wettest year thus far, and who knows what the future holds. Historically, Madrid was known for having the most sunny days compared with any other European capital.
While Madrid is a great place to visit all year round, spring, early summer and fall are probably the best months by far.
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