Hi,
I looked at a weather map, and according to that the temperature in Madrid in January is in the 50's. Some people might think that is cold, but I am from Wisconsin. Sometimes in January here in Wisconsin there are wind chills of 50 below 0. My question is sometimes 50 is very pleasant, and other times if there is a lot of cold wind 50 is chilly. Could anyone who has been there in winter give me some advice on what the temperature is like. We are also planning on spending a few days in Barcelona. So if anyone has advice on the weather that, that too, would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

I just remember it being dry but cold,cold, cold and I was not prepared for it at all-had to buy glove,scarf and a sweatshirt.I should have brought more clothing but all I had was my carryon case.it

Coming from Wisconsin, you might be okay. I lived in Santander, Spain in college and we often visited Madrid in the winter.

We're from Georgia and consider Madrid to be VERY cold December - February, even though we're on nearly the same latitude. The thing that makes it colder to us is that Madrid is on a plateau and it's windy. It can be bitingly cold. But again, that's as compared to our Georgia winters. Barcelona is also chilly. Both can see a cold rain in winter.

That said, it wouldn't stop me from going to Spain. It's wonderful winter and summer. Many of what you might do, other than Retiro Park, is inside. And you're from Wisconsin. You would be better prepared for cold than us Georgians! Better coats, hats and gloves. We actually shopped at El Corte Ingles over spring break one year when it was unseasonably cold. They had great warm weather gear on sale.

If you don't mind, I'd like to make a suggestion. A couple of hours north of Madrid are the Picos de Europa. In a town called Potes, there's a little hotel called Hotel del Oso. It's a beautiful place and from there, you can make a couple of visits up a funicular to the peaks as well as there are some skiing opportunities. We just love the inn. http://www.hoteldeloso.es/

You are so right, continental drifter,how could I forget that wind!

The weather chart I looked at showed the average high in Jan in Madrid to be around 49, the average low to be 36 and the overall average to be around 41, so not freezing, but over all certainly not in the 50s.

We were in Madrid one year at the end of Oct. I was surprised how cool it was at night.
Never been in Jan., but the weather would not stop me.
Madrid is a great city.

Madrid can be quite cold. I was there one January when there was about a foot of snow on the ground. But, it's not the upper midwest. You can more than handle it. Have fun.

Madrid is on a high plateau in the center of the country. You might get 50 - but it can be quite a bit colder esp at night and snow is perfectly possible. Weather more like Dc or VA in the US - not bitter but definitely winter.