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SunnyDays

ERA5 almanac — 8 years of real data

Barcelona in May

Barcelona in May: rain frequency data not yet backfilled for this month, 71°F average high, 25% of days historically clear (n=248, ERA5 2018–2025).

Barcelona in May is historically a poor month for sun: only 25% of days clear across 8 years (n=248, avg high 71°F). July is the clearest month for Barcelona historically. Historical average, not a forecast.

What you are reading: 8-year historical averages from the ERA5 reanalysis, not a forecast. A month that is historically 90% clear can still be overcast on your specific trip. For this week’s actual forecast, see the live Barcelona page. Both can be true at once: “historically strong in this month; this particular week is not.” We label which is which.

Early vs. Late May

Clear-sky percentage for Barcelona in May, split by half-month. “n” is the number of days sampled across 8 years (2018–2025).
Period % Clear days Sample (n) Avg high
Early May
1st–15th		 14% n=120 71°F
Late May
16th–end		 36% n=128 71°F
Full month average 25% n=248 71°F

Bottom line

Barcelona is mostly overcast in May historically: only 25% of days are clear across 8 years (n=248), avg high 71°F. The two halves differ materially (14% early, 36% late) — favour the late half of the month. If you want sun in Barcelona, July is historically much better. Most visitors this month will see more clouds than sun.

→ See all destinations in July — historically the best month for sun in Barcelona.

Every month in Barcelona

Compare across all months with data. Numbers are historical clear-sky %.

Historical clear-sky % for Barcelona, all months, ERA5 2018–2025.
Month % Clear Sample (n)
January 0% n=248 All destinations →
February 0% n=226 All destinations →
March 3% n=248 All destinations →
April 4% n=240 All destinations →
May ← this page 25% n=248 All destinations →
June 61% n=240 All destinations →
July 64% n=248 All destinations →
August 53% n=248 All destinations →
September 38% n=240 All destinations →
October 27% n=248 All destinations →
November 4% n=240 All destinations →
December 0% n=248 All destinations →

Frequently asked

Is Barcelona good for sun in May?

Not usually. Barcelona is historically overcast in May: only 25% of days are clear (avg high 71°F, n=248 days, ERA5 2018–2025). July is historically far better for sun here.

All percentages are historical averages from the ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 8 full years (2018–2025). “Clear” means avg high ≥ 72 °F, precipitation < 1 mm, and a non-precipitation weather code. This is history, not a forecast. The live 7-day outlook for any destination is on its own page and may differ from the long-run average. Data from Open-Meteo.