Barcelona will experience its final day of stable, monotonous weather on Friday before a change brings clouds and possible rain over the weekend. Temperatures won’t shift dramatically yet, but atmospheric changes are already on the horizon, according to a forecast from local broadcaster betevé.
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Friday morning will bring familiar low clouds and mist along the coast, especially concentrated between the Vallès plain and the Besòs river mouth. The river, a key local landscape feature, recently made news due to plans to boost Catalonia’s water reserves through its desalination plant expansion.
After the morning fog dissipates, the sun will appear more muted and hazy than in previous days. This is because high-altitude clouds will increase throughout the day, clearly indicating an approaching weather front.
Weekend Brings Clouds and Cooler Temperatures
The settled, spring-like weather conditions enjoyed by the region will end this weekend. Meteorologists predict a ‘tail of a front’ will cross Catalonia, bringing a noticeable increase in cloud cover.
This shift will likely bring precipitation from Saturday night into Sunday morning. Alongside the rain, temperatures will slightly drop as the front passes. While this weather system is not expected to be severe, it reminds residents to stay updated via official sources like the Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya (Meteocat), especially after recent high wind alerts.
Saharan Dust Lingers in the Air
Suspended Saharan dust adds another layer to the forecast. A DANA (depresión aislada en niveles altos), an isolated high-level depression currently over the Canary Islands, is carrying this dust. This phenomenon, known as ‘Calima’ in the Canaries, often results in hazy skies and reduced air quality.
Barcelona’s air will continue to carry fine particulate dust, a situation that has previously reduced city visibility when combined with local fog and pollution. The dust gives the sky a characteristic murky or yellowish tint, leaving a fine layer of grit on outdoor surfaces.
An Uncertain Forecast for Next Week
Looking further ahead, forecasters are monitoring the DANA’s potential movement. It could possibly move closer to the Iberian Peninsula next week, though this remains uncertain. Should it occur, a more significant rainfall period for the region could follow.
If rain materialises while high Saharan dust concentrations persist, ‘mud rain’ (pluja de fang) would likely occur. This happens when raindrops collect suspended dust particles as they fall, leading to dirty precipitation that can coat cars, buildings, and streets in a thin layer of mud. However, meteorologists stress this long-range forecast remains highly uncertain and subject to change.
