Mediterranean weather from Barcelona: Tramuntana, Llevant, Garbí, Mestral

Catalan winds have names. Tramuntana is a northerly gale, Mestral is northwesterly, Llevant brings easterly swell, and Garbí blows from the southwest.

Updated 24 Oct 2026 2 min read

Key points

Tramuntana (N) and Mestral (NW) are strong, cold and dry, and build short seas along the Catalan coast.
Llevant (E) raises swell on the Catalan coast, often with rain.
Garbí (SW) varies with the season. Check AEMET or Meteocat and compare with an app.

The compass of Catalan winds

The names go around the compass: Tramuntana (north), Gregal (northeast), Llevant (east), Xaloc (southeast), Migjorn (south), Garbí (southwest), Ponent (west) and Mestral (northwest). Four matter most to a boat based in Barcelona.

Tramuntana and Mestral

Northerly and northwesterly winds come down from the Pyrenees and the Gulf of Lion. They are cold and dry, they bring clear skies, and they blow hard. They can reach gale force, and they are strongest around Cap de Creus and the Empordà coast. The sea stays flat close to the lee shore, but a short, steep sea builds quickly offshore. When Tramuntana is forecast, plan to stay in port or sail on the sheltered side of the cape.

Llevant

An easterly wind blows onto the Catalan coast. It often comes with cloud, rain and swell, and it makes the exposed anchorages uncomfortable. Marinas open to the east can have surge. It can last for days.

Garbí

A southwesterly wind. Its strength and the weather it brings vary with the season, so check the forecast for it before a crossing to the Balearics.

Sea breezes

On a hot day, the land heats and a breeze blows from the sea. It arrives around midday and builds into the afternoon, which is why many sailors set out in the morning and head for port in late afternoon.

Where to get the forecast

AEMET, the Spanish state weather service, which issues marine forecasts.
Meteocat, the Catalan service.
Météo-France marine bulletins for the Gulf of Lion and the French coast.
Marina notice boards and VHF weather broadcasts.
Apps that show model wind and waves are a useful second source.

Planning

Check the forecast for the whole passage as well as the departure.
Compare two sources and decide in advance when you turn back.
Allow extra time on a crossing, and choose the day with a weather window of at least 24 hours.

Also useful at step 6 Anchoring rules: Posidonia, marine reserves, buoy fields and black water

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change; check your own case with a professional or ask us.