I’m currently in Spain, just spent four days in Madrid and arrived in Barcelona this morning. I’m having the hardest time finding a weather website/app that is reliable. I’m using Weather.com, the iPhone app, WeatherUnderground and El Tiempo. They all seem to be hit or miss. It rained this afternoon in Barcelona and all four apps showed it being sunny with no rain in the radar view. Granted, it wasn’t much rain, but it was totally overcast. They should have at least got that right. I know weather is a fickle topic but I’m hoping to have some kind of guidance when it comes to plannning day trips, etc.
Posted by
New England
698 posts
The free version of Accuweather has been accurate(!) for London, no idea if it would also be for Spain. Will follow this thread and any recommendations with interest because I’ll be in Spain next month.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I use Accuweather as well for travel weather.
https://m.accuweather.com/en/es/barcelona/307297/weather-forecast/307297
Note that unexpected sudden thunderstorms are typical for spring in Barcelona.
Posted by
Washington DC
28102 posts
I always ask my hotel receptionist which weather website to use. I think eltiempo was the one I ended up with in Spain a couple of summers ago.
I understand your frustration, because I don't like to carry around an unnecesary rain jacket or umbrella, and I don't like to get drenched, but my experience has been that precipitation predictions are pretty unreliable.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7163 posts
Sounds like those apps are about as accurate as the weather forecasters on TV in Washington DC. If the apps on my phone happen to be correct while traveling, I count that as a plus. Enjoy your trip.
Posted by
OP
Lubbock, TX
417 posts
I just downloaded Accuweather to my phone. We’ll see how it does for the next few days!!
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
3075 posts
Anywhere in Catalonia, including Barcelona, the most accurate weather service is provided by the National Weather Service of Catalonia (duh!). While they don't have an app, they do have a mobile version of their website -which is also in English. Type www.meteo.cat in your browser.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6489 posts
I live in a part of the world where weather is somewhat easy to forecast. I have figured out that it's less predictable in areas with mountains and large bodies of water. In Switzerland, my best forecast was looking out the window and making some determination about how the day would progress--seriously. More reliable than any of the weather apps. When I was in Barcelona it was lovely and sunny everyday, except the day we went to Montjuic for the views, which was supposed to be a clear day as well.