The Christmas Weather: More Sun Than Rain
During the Christmas holidays, the weather conditions in Barcelona are usually more stable than we could imagine. Contrary to what you might think, rain is not common in this period, with a scant 16.9% probability of significant precipitation, as indicated by the Fabra Observatory’s historical data.
Historical Precipitation Analysis
If we look at the data collected since 1913, we see that rainy days during Christmas are comparable to the figures we see in late June or mid-August. This highlights that Christmas is a time of year where rain is less frequent, surpassing spring and autumn, which often see more than half of their days covered in clouds.
White Christmases and Extreme Episodes
However, history reminds us that there have been Christmases with heavy rain. An emblematic example is December 25, 1962, when Barcelona recorded an unusual snowfall and 64 liters of rain. That year, the combination of cold and humidity gave rise to a white Christmas that has been etched in the collective memory.
Weather Patterns and Trends
The rainiest days, curiously, tend to coincide with the most important holiday dates, such as Christmas Eve and Three Kings Day. On the other hand, January 4th is the driest day of the entire period, with only a 13.5% chance of rain in the last 111 years.
The Cold: A Relic of the Past
The intense cold, moreover, seems to belong to the past. The extreme temperatures previously recorded have given way to warmer Christmases. In recent years, we have seen a marked increase in temperatures, with Christmas exceeding 20 degrees, a phenomenon rarely seen until recently.
Reflections on the Climate Future
As weather trends continue to change, it’s crucial to consider how the weather may affect our Christmas traditions. What used to be a cold and wet Christmas is increasingly becoming a celebration of mild temperatures and a lack of rain. The challenge will be to adapt to these new conditions, while keeping the Christmas spirit alive.
