A Mediterranean climate
Due to its position and latitude, Catalonia is essentially subject to a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers, wetter springs and autumns and rather mild winters. However, several elements interfere with this general framework and modify it: rainfall, topography (medium and high mountains) and winds. This creates various microclimates. The coastal provinces, such as the Costa Brava, are the most emblematic of the general Mediterranean climate. On the Costa Brava, temperatures can reach 30 °C in summer and around 10 °C in winter, with an average of 18 °C throughout the year.
The reign of Tramontane
Although this coast boasts an annual average of 300 hours of sunshine, the heat will not be synonymous with suffocation, as the proximity of the sea and above all the presence of the wind will not only chase away the clouds, but also refresh the nights. In this part of Catalonia, and especially in the Empordà, the Tramontana will be the dominant wind. Although it is very pleasant in summer, it can be difficult to bear out of season, sometimes requiring shelter and justifying its reputation as the wind that drives you crazy, especially in the Alt Empordà region. This coast belongs to the "dry Catalonia", with less than 700 mm of precipitation per year, with rainfall occurring in spring, but especially in autumn (generally quite short, but quite heavy). The temperature of the sea makes it possible to bathe there without much difficulty from May to October. At the most, it is recommended to bring snorkeling shoes to avoid slipping on the rocks along the numerous creeks. With different pleasures (swimming and lazing around, discovering sites, hiking...), the climate of this Costa Brava allows you to visit it all year round. All the more so as most of the accommodation is now equipped with the appropriate facilities: air conditioning or fans for the hot seasons and heating for the rest of the year. And the terraces of restaurants and cafés have also been fitted out to withstand the sun and cold. It's up to you to bring the sunglasses, headgear and sun cream that are essential when the sun comes back out, and sometimes useful even in winter if the sun is shining.
Heading for snowy peaks
When your steps take you to the Pyrenees of Girona, you will not immediately notice any big changes, especially if you come in the summer. But the closer you get to the Pyrenees, the more the climate changes. This part of the region is known as wet Catalonia, with more than 700 mm of rainfall per year, heavy rainfall in May and June and summers that are generally wetter than on the coast. From 500 metres, it is considered to be the beginning of the high mountain climate, with temperatures that drop as the altitude increases. It is obviously in winter that the difference will be most noticeable, with some towns such as Olot, in La Garrotxa, having the justified reputation of being among the coldest towns in Catalonia. And if you push on to the Ripollès and Cerdanya, you will have the opportunity to indulge in the pleasures of skiing or to enjoy the beauty of the snowy peaks. In general, remember to include warm clothing for the evenings, whatever the period.
