An unexpected day of heavy rain
On Wednesday, the day of Santa Eulàlia, Barcelona experienced an episode of rain that surprised many. With records exceeding 30 liters, the city experienced an unusual meteorological phenomenon in a month that is usually dry.
More than 10 hours of precipitation
For more than 10 hours, the rain fell continuously, bringing significant accumulations of water, especially in the urban center and the Llobregat area. This episode, which initially seemed to go unnoticed, ended up resulting in a significant amount of water.
Disparity in quantities by area
Rainfall records varied depending on location. While the center and areas near the Llobregat River saw amounts exceeding 30 liters, areas adjacent to the Besòs River recorded more modest values.
Rainfall records in February
The amount of rain collected on this day is exceptional for a month of February, which is historically the second driest of the year. To find a similar situation, one must go back to February 2018, when similar rainfall was recorded.
Few precedents of this magnitude
According to Meteocat data, only on three occasions since 1987 has 30.6 liters been exceeded on a February day. On February 4, 2018, 37 liters were recorded, while February 25, 2003 and February 28, 2013 also had notable records.
Impact on monthly averages
The episode of rain this Wednesday, together with that of the previous Saturday, has contributed to exceeding the monthly average of rainfall in several areas of the city, a significant figure considering the drought of recent years.
Exceeding climatic averages
At the Fabra Observatory, the accumulated amount already exceeds 35.6 liters, the climate average for February between 1991 and 2020. In some locations, the rain this Wednesday has been enough to equal what is usually collected throughout the month.
Reflections on the recent drought
The rainfall in this episode contrasts with the lack of water in recent years, where monthly accumulations in February have been much lower. At the Fabra Observatory, the accumulated rainfall during this episode exceeds the total for Februarys from 2019 to 2024, highlighting the water shortage that has been experienced.