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SunnyDays

ERA5 almanac — 8 years of real data

Madrid in August

Madrid in August: 5% of days see measurable rain, 93°F average high, 88% of days historically clear (n=248, ERA5 2018–2025).

Historically one of the better months to visit Madrid for sun: 88% of days are clear on average (n=248, avg high 93°F). Every percentage here is a historical average from 8 years of ERA5 data — 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 Madrid 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 August

Clear-sky percentage for Madrid in August, split by half-month. “n” is the number of days sampled across 8 years (2018–2025).
Period % Clear days Sample (n) Avg high
Early August
1st–15th		 92% n=120 93°F
Late August
16th–end		 85% n=128 93°F
Full month average 88% n=248 93°F

Sunshine & warmth in August

A second measure using actual sunshine hours (ERA5 sunshine_duration), not the daily weather code. A Lowcountry day with 12 hours of sun and a 25-minute afternoon storm is counted below as a warm, sunny day — because it was. How we define this.

Sunshine-based metrics for Madrid in August. Primary: % of days ≥ 72°F with > 6 h of sunshine.
Period Warm & sunny (≥72°F, >6 h sun) Sample (n)
Early August
1st–15th		 98% n=120
Late August
16th–end		 100% n=128
Full month average 99% n=248
13.0 h median sunshine per day 99% of days exceed 8 h sunshine 5% of days see ≥ 1 mm rain — rain is not hidden
Comparison (old vs new): WMO-code “clear” bar: 88%. Sunshine-based “warm & sunny”: 99%. The 11-point gap is from brief afternoon convective storms that stamp the whole day as “rain” in the WMO code but leave the bulk of the sunshine untouched.

Bottom line

Madrid is historically one of the best destinations for sun in August: 88% of days meet the clear bar (avg high 93°F, n=248 days across 8 years). Pack for outdoor activity — this month consistently delivers.

Every month in Madrid

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

Historical clear-sky % for Madrid, all months, ERA5 2018–2025.
Month % Clear Sample (n)
January 0% n=248 All destinations →
February 0% n=226 All destinations →
March 9% n=248 All destinations →
April 20% n=240 All destinations →
May 51% n=248 All destinations →
June 67% n=240 All destinations →
July 91% n=248 All destinations →
August ← this page 88% n=248 All destinations →
September 62% n=240 All destinations →
October 38% n=248 All destinations →
November 0% n=240 All destinations →
December 0% n=248 All destinations →

Frequently asked

Does it rain in Madrid in August?

Rarely. Only 5% of days in Madrid see measurable rain in August, based on 8 years of ERA5 historical data (n=248 days, 2018–2025). This is a historical average, not a forecast.

Is Madrid good for sun in August?

Yes. Madrid is historically strong for sun in August: 88% of days are clear on average (avg high 93°F, n=248 days, ERA5 2018–2025).

How Madrid compares in August

Head-to-head clear-sky comparisons against destinations travelers plausibly weigh against Madrid this month — same passport tier, similar flight distance, both sides from the same 8-year ERA5 record.

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.