Spring in Madrid feels like a breath of fresh air after winter’s chill. Mornings stay cool, but afternoons warm up nicely, and the days just keep getting longer. You get average daytime highs starting around 12 °C (54 °F) in March, but by May, it can hit 23 °C (73 °F). Early summer vibes sneak in before you know it.
Rainfall happens more often in spring than in summer. Showers usually don’t last long, though, and the sky clears up quickly. Parks and plazas come alive as trees and flowers bloom everywhere. The air has a crispness, especially in April. Each month brings more sunshine, so you get plenty of bright days without the heat you’d find in July or August.
This time of year feels perfect for wandering Madrid’s streets or heading out for a day trip. Mild temperatures, a bit of rain here and there, and a mix of sun and clouds—spring really does give you Madrid at its most balanced. If you’re curious about the details, check out Madrid’s climate.
Spring Weather Overview in Madrid
Spring in Madrid means steady warming, longer days, and moderate rain. Early March feels pretty cool, but by late May, you notice much warmer days, and the sun shows up more often.
Typical Temperature Ranges
In early spring, daily highs hover near 57°F (14°C), while nighttime lows drop to about 36°F (2°C). By the end of May, highs reach around 78°F (26°C) and lows settle at 53°F (12°C).
That steady climb makes spring one of the most comfortable times to visit. Nights in March still feel chilly, so you’ll want a jacket. By May, afternoons get warm enough for just a t-shirt.
For reference:
- March: 50s°F (10–15°C) daytime, 30s–40s°F (2–7°C) nights
- April: 60s°F (16–20°C) daytime, 40s°F (7–10°C) nights
- May: 70s°F (22–26°C) daytime, 50s°F (11–14°C) nights
Layers are your friend, since temperatures can swing quite a bit from morning to evening.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
Clouds stick around more in March, with overcast skies about 40% of the time. By late May, you see clearer or partly cloudy days more often.
Rain stays moderate, averaging about 0.8 to 1.2 inches per month. April gets a bit wetter, but rain usually comes and goes in short bursts. You’ll often see the sun again the same day.
Daylight grows fast. By late May, you get almost 15 hours of daylight, compared to just over 11 hours at the start of March. That extra time is perfect for exploring, whether you’re walking the city or grabbing a late dinner outside.
Humidity stays low, so muggy days are rare. Winds blow lightly to moderately, mostly from the north or west, and help keep the air fresh.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Spring’s cooler and less dry than summer. Madrid’s summer highs can hit 90s°F (32–35°C), but spring rarely goes past the upper 70s°F (25–27°C). That makes sightseeing a lot more pleasant.
Winter’s colder and wetter, with highs in the 40s–50s°F (7–12°C) and more cloudy days. Spring breaks up the damp, chilly weather you get in January and February.
Autumn has some things in common with spring, but the days get shorter instead of longer. Both seasons bring mild temperatures, though spring feels brighter and a bit drier, with more consistent sun.
If you like balanced weather without extremes, spring’s really one of the best times to experience Madrid.
Monthly Breakdown of Spring Weather
Spring in Madrid means things warm up steadily, daylight stretches out, and rainfall stays moderate. You’ll notice a real shift from the unsettled, cool days at the start of March to the sunnier, warmer vibe by late May.
March Climate Highlights
March feels like winter’s last stand. Daytime highs start at 14°C (57°F) and can reach 17°C (63°F) by the end of the month. Nights are still cold, with lows between 2–5°C (36–41°F), so you’ll want to keep a jacket handy.
Clouds are common, with overcast or mostly cloudy skies about 40% of the time. Rainfall averages around 20 mm for the month, usually spread across several light or moderate showers.
Daylight grows quickly. On March 1, you get about 11 hours 18 minutes of sun, but by the end of the month, it’s over 12.5 hours. Winds blow in from the north or west, making the air feel crisp.
March also marks the start of the growing season. By the end of the month, frost risk drops, and you start to see plants waking up.
April Climate Highlights
April gets milder and wetter compared to March. Highs climb to 18–20°C (64–68°F), while lows hang between 6–9°C (43–48°F). Afternoons feel more pleasant, but mornings can stay cool.
Rainfall peaks here, with the highest chance of a wet day near 23% around April 29. The average total climbs to 30 mm, mostly from passing showers. Carrying an umbrella makes sense.
Clouds start to break up, and you get more sunshine. Winds come in from the west, averaging 12–14 kph, so things can feel breezy.
By the end of April, daylight stretches to about 13.5–14 hours. Outdoor plans get easier, though the weather can still flip quickly.
May Climate Highlights
May feels a lot like summer’s knocking on the door. Highs rise to 22–25°C (72–77°F), and lows stay mild at 10–12°C (50–54°F). Frost is rare, and evenings are nice enough for outdoor dining.
Rainfall drops a bit after April, averaging 29 mm for the month. Showers pop up now and then, but most days are clearer—63% of May 31 is clear or partly cloudy. The sun sticks around, and the air feels drier.
Daylight almost hits 15 hours by the end of May. Sunsets stretch past 21:30, so evenings feel long. Winds calm down a bit, averaging just over 12 kph.
With the growing season in full swing, May is one of the most colorful, lively times in Madrid. Parks and gardens look lush, and the weather’s just right for exploring on foot.
Temperature Trends and Extremes
Spring in Madrid brings a steady temperature climb. Cool mornings gradually give way to mild or even warm afternoons. You move quickly from late winter chills to early summer warmth, so layering your clothes is a smart move.
Average Highs and Lows
During spring, average high temperatures rise from about 57°F (14°C) in early March to 78°F (26°C) by late May. Highs rarely dip below 48°F (9°C) or go above 88°F (31°C).
Lows follow along, starting at around 36°F (2°C) in early March and reaching 53°F (12°C) by the end of May. Nights don’t often drop under 28°F (-2°C) or climb above 60°F (16°C).
Madrid’s hottest days show up in midsummer, with highs around 92°F (33°C). In winter, lows average near 33°F (1°C). Spring really bridges that gap, moving you from cold to hot in just a few months.
As temperatures rise, being outside gets more comfortable. Still, you should expect the occasional cool day early in the season, especially if a cold front rolls through.
Daytime and Nighttime Temperatures
Madrid’s spring days swing from cool to comfortable, depending on the month. March afternoons usually sit in the 50s°F (10–15°C). By May, afternoons often reach the mid-70s°F (23–25°C).
Nights stay much cooler. March nights can dip into the mid-30s°F (1–3°C), while May nights usually stay in the low-50s°F (10–12°C). That big difference between day and night—the diurnal range—stands out in Madrid, thanks to its inland spot and higher elevation.
If you’re planning to be out late, pack a layer or two. Temperatures can swing by 20°F (10°C) or more between noon and midnight. That kind of variation is just part of Madrid’s spring weather charm.
Precipitation Patterns in Spring
Spring in Madrid brings moderate rainfall that changes from month to month. Early spring tends to be wetter, but things dry out as summer gets closer. The number of rainy days also drops, so you can get a sense of when showers are most likely.
Average Rainfall by Month
Rainfall in Madrid during spring drops off slowly from March to May. March is usually the wettest spring month, with around 35–40 mm. April follows with about 30–35 mm, and May drops to 25–30 mm.
This pattern shows Madrid shifting from winter’s cool, wet stretch into the dry, hot summer. Rain comes in short bursts, not long downpours.
Just for comparison, autumn months like October can see more than twice as much rain as May. Madrid’s inland spot means you won’t get the heavy, drawn-out showers coastal Spain sees in spring.
| Month | Average Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| March | 35–40 mm |
| April | 30–35 mm |
| May | 25–30 mm |
Frequency of Rainy Days
Rainy days get fewer as spring goes on. In March, you might get 7–8 days with measurable rain. April averages 6–7 days, and May usually brings just 5–6 days.
Most showers are light and scattered, so they rarely mess up your plans for long. Rain falls in short spurts, and the sun often comes back out soon after.
This low frequency makes spring a comfortable time to explore Madrid. For comparison, October can bring 11 rainy days, so spring really does offer a nice balance.
Madrid’s rainy days aren’t about endless drizzle. Think brief, passing showers that let you get back outside pretty quickly.
Humidity and Air Quality
Spring in Madrid feels comfortable, with moderate humidity and generally clear air. The balance between warming temperatures and lighter rainfall makes it easy to enjoy the city’s parks and outdoor spaces. You don’t get the sticky dampness or dryness you might find in other seasons.
Typical Humidity Levels
Humidity shifts a lot in Madrid during the year, but spring sits right in the middle. Relative humidity usually falls between 50% and 60%, lower than the winter peak of 77%, but higher than the summer low near 41%.
That means the air almost never feels muggy. Mornings can feel a bit more humid, but afternoons dry out as the day warms up. Rain showers are brief, so humidity doesn’t stick around.
Madrid’s inland location keeps the air drier than Spain’s coasts. Spring days feel crisp, and evenings stay cool, even as temperatures rise. For folks sensitive to weather, this moderate humidity and mild air often feel much easier to handle than the extremes of summer or winter.
Impact on Comfort and Activities
Spring’s moderate humidity really shapes how you experience the city. When daytime highs climb into the 20s °C (upper 60s to mid-70s °F), the air feels warm, but it doesn’t smother you.
You can wander for hours, explore parks, or just relax at outdoor cafés without feeling sticky or uncomfortable.
These conditions actually help air quality too. Fewer temperature inversions than in winter let pollutants disperse more easily, so you often get clearer skies.
This makes spring a good choice for anyone sensitive to air pollution.
Outdoor exercise, sightseeing, and day trips all feel more enjoyable when humidity stays balanced. You’re spared the heavy dampness that makes cool air feel even colder, and you avoid the dry itchiness that sometimes hits in summer.
For most visitors, spring just hits a sweet spot for comfort and activity.
Other Weather Conditions and Phenomena
In Madrid during spring, you get longer days with more sunshine and lighter winds than in winter. Unusual weather rarely pops up.
Conditions usually stay mild, but shifting clouds, breezes, and the occasional storm can give the season a different feel.
Sunshine Hours and Cloud Cover
You’ll notice daylight stretches out fast through spring. In early March, the sun is up for about 11 hours.
By late May, that jumps to nearly 15 hours of daylight. This steady climb makes outdoor plans easier and evenings feel much longer.
Cloud cover fades as spring moves along. In March, skies are overcast or mostly cloudy about 43% of the time.
By late May, that drops to around 37%. So, clearer skies show up more often as summer gets closer.
On the clearest days, especially late in May, you’ll spot skies that are clear or mostly clear more than 60% of the time. Spring stands out as one of Madrid’s brighter seasons, even if it’s not quite as cloudless as summer.
Wind and Breezes
Madrid’s spring winds usually stay pretty moderate. Average speeds start around 8 miles per hour in March and dip to about 7.5 miles per hour in May.
Strong gales almost never happen, but breezy afternoons show up a lot, especially in wide open spaces.
Wind direction changes as the weeks go by. Early spring brings winds from the north.
Later on, breezes tend to come from the west. These shifts can change how warm or cool the air feels, especially on those in-between days with chilly mornings and mild afternoons.
Because humidity stays low, the wind feels drier and more comfortable than in coastal cities. Walking or sitting outside stays pleasant, even when it’s windy.
Unusual Weather Events
Madrid’s spring weather usually stays pretty stable. Still, sometimes you’ll run into a surprise or two.
You might get caught in a rain shower, with about an 18% chance of a wet day on any given day in the season. Most of the time, the rain feels light or moderate, but every so often in April or May, a heavier shower rolls through.
Thunderstorms don’t show up often. If they do, they tend to pop up in late spring. These storms don’t stick around long and rarely get intense, though you might suddenly hear thunder or see a flash of lightning.
Snow almost never falls in spring. Sometimes, early March mornings feel chilly, but by April, you can forget about freezing weather. The growing season has already started.