In Rio de Janeiro, a big city of Brazil and the capital of the state of the same name, the climate is
, with a relatively cool season from May to October and a hot, muggy and rainy season from December to March, with November and April as intermediate months.
The city is located in southern Brazil, just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, and is the capital of the state of the same name. Rio de Janeiro lies on the coast: the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema are located along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, while the city overlooks the
, where there is also the Rio de Janeiro-Galeao airport, named after Antônio Carlos Jobim.
, reaching about a thousand meters (3,300 feet) of altitude. Mount Corcovado, or Monte Cristo, on top of which is the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer, is 710 meters (2,329 feet) high, which means that on the summit, the temperature is about 4 degrees Celsius (7 °F) lower than at sea level. The Sugarloaf Mountain, accessible by cable car with a stunning view, is instead at the entrance of the bay, and it's 396 meters (1,300 feet) high.
can sometimes occur, with highs around 35/37 °C (95/99 °F), from October to April. However, summery days can occur even in winter, with highs around 30/32 °C (86/90 °F) also in June, July and August.
On the other hand, during the cool season, from May to October, cold air masses of Antarctic origin can bring
temperatures, or even a little cold at night, in fact, lows can drop to around 10/12 °C (50/54 °F), and highs can stay around 18/20 °C (64/68 °F). This happens in the city proper, in the districts lying along the coast, but in the localities of the metropolitan region situated to the north-west and far from the sea, like Nova Iguaçu, lows can even drop below 10 °C (50 °F).
is more abundant in summer, from December to March (remember that the city is located in the Southern Hemisphere), when the rains mainly occur in the form of showers or thunderstorms. Sometimes the rains can be particularly intense and cause floods.
Winter is quite dry, but at times, some disturbances can affect this area, bringing some days of bad weather, and also cool temperatures. This happens mostly in mid-winter (in the months of June, July and August), but it can also occur in the months of May, September and October (which, all in all, are not so different).
in Rio is good, but not great. In summer, the sky is often clear or partly cloudy, but some cloud banks can form, more or less intense, associated, as mentioned, with showers and thunderstorms. In winter, the relatively dry season, as I said, there can be some cloudiness linked to depressions
is warm enough for swimming from November to May, when the water temperature is equal to or higher than 24 °C (75 °F), or even in June, when it drops to 23 °C (73 °F). From July to October, it is a bit cool, but not impossible after all, since it remains around 22 °C (72 °F).
The best time to visit Rio de Janeiro is winter, from May to October: temperatures are generally pleasant, with quite rare rains. It will be possible to spend a relaxing time on the beaches, to sunbathe, and to try to swim in a sea a little cool. A sweatshirt and a light jacket can help for the evening and on cool and cloudy days.
In summer, the weather is hot and muggy, sometimes very hot, and thunderstorms can break out, but there is also a lot of sunshine. As there is no danger of cyclones, if you want, you can go in this season as well, at least if you do not suffer from the heat, and you have in mind long periods on the beach. It may be useful to book a hotel with air conditioning, and bring a sweatshirt or a pashmina for airconditioned places.
The following meteorological data were recorded along the coast, in the Saúde district.
. Here are the average temperatures.
January is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
27.5 °C, with a minimum of
24.3 °C and a maximum of
30.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
21 °C. However, it dropped to
16 °C in January 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
36 °C. However, it reached
38 °C in January 1994.
Precipitation amounts to
135 mm, distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
11.3 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
25.7 °C. Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
February, the hottest month of the year, is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
27.8 °C, with a minimum of
24.4 °C and a maximum of
31.2 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
22 °C. However, it dropped to
19.6 °C in February 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
36 °C. However, it reached
39 °C in February 2015.
Precipitation amounts to
130 mm, distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
11.4 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
26.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
March is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
26.9 °C, with a minimum of
23.9 °C and a maximum of
29.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
21.5 °C. However, it dropped to
19 °C in March 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
35 °C. However, it reached
39 °C in March 2017.
Precipitation amounts to
135 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
10.8 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
26.3 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
April is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
25.7 °C, with a minimum of
22.8 °C and a maximum of
28.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
20 °C. However, it dropped to
18 °C in April 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
34 °C. However, it reached
37 °C in April 1998.
Precipitation amounts to
95 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
10.1 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
25.8 °C. Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
May is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
23.5 °C, with a minimum of
20.7 °C and a maximum of
26.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
18 °C. However, it dropped to
15 °C in May 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
32 °C. However, it reached
35 °C in May 2017.
Precipitation amounts to
70 mm, distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
9.7 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
24.3 °C. Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
June is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
22.8 °C, with a minimum of
19.8 °C and a maximum of
25.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
17 °C. However, it dropped to
13 °C in June 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
31 °C. However, it reached
35 °C in June 2014.
Precipitation amounts to
45 mm, distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
9.6 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
23 °C. Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
July, the coolest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
22.3 °C, with a minimum of
19.2 °C and a maximum of
25.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
15.5 °C. However, it dropped to
13.1 °C in July 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
31.5 °C. However, it reached
35 °C in July 2001.
Precipitation amounts to
40 mm, distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
10 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
22.3 °C. Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
August is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
22.5 °C, with a minimum of
19.4 °C and a maximum of
25.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
16.5 °C. However, it dropped to
12.8 °C in August 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
32 °C. However, it reached
36 °C in August 1993.
Precipitation amounts to
45 mm, distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
10.7 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
21.9 °C. Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
September is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
23.1 °C, with a minimum of
20 °C and a maximum of
26.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
17 °C. However, it dropped to
14 °C in September 2006.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33.5 °C. However, it reached
38 °C in September 1993.
Precipitation amounts to
55 mm, distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
11.8 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
21.9 °C. Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
October is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
24.2 °C, with a minimum of
21.2 °C and a maximum of
27.1 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
17.5 °C. However, it dropped to
16.3 °C in October 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
34 °C. However, it reached
38 °C in October 1997.
Precipitation amounts to
85 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
12.4 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
22.5 °C. Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
November is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
24.8 °C, with a minimum of
21.8 °C and a maximum of
27.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
18.5 °C. However, it dropped to
16 °C in November 2006.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
34.5 °C. However, it reached
41 °C in November 2013.
Precipitation amounts to
100 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
12.1 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
23.6 °C. Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
December is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
26.5 °C, with a minimum of
23.3 °C and a maximum of
29.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
20 °C. However, it dropped to
18 °C in December 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
36 °C. However, it reached
40 °C in December 2015.
Precipitation amounts to
135 mm, distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes. December 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
12 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
24.8 °C. Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.