Climate - Rio De Janeiro (Brazil)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Rio De Janeiro
In Rio de Janeiro, a big city of Brazil and the capital of the state of the same name, the climate is tropical, 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 Guanabara Bay, where there is also the Rio de Janeiro-Galeao airport, named after Antônio Carlos Jobim.
Around the city, there are hills covered with forests, 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.
The daily average temperature ranges from 22.5 °C (72.5 °F) in July and August to 27/27.5 °C (81/81.5 °F) in January and February. Here are the average temperatures (recorded along the coast, in Saúde district).
Rio De Janeiro - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 24.3 | 30.6 | 27.5 | 76 | 87 | 81.4 |
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| February | 24.4 | 31.2 | 27.8 | 76 | 88 | 82 |
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| March | 23.9 | 29.9 | 26.9 | 75 | 86 | 80.4 |
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| April | 22.8 | 28.6 | 25.7 | 73 | 84 | 78.3 |
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| May | 20.7 | 26.4 | 23.5 | 69 | 80 | 74.4 |
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| June | 19.8 | 25.9 | 22.8 | 68 | 79 | 73.1 |
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| July | 19.2 | 25.4 | 22.3 | 67 | 78 | 72.1 |
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| August | 19.4 | 25.7 | 22.5 | 67 | 78 | 72.6 |
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| September | 20 | 26.3 | 23.1 | 68 | 79 | 73.6 |
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| October | 21.2 | 27.1 | 24.2 | 70 | 81 | 75.5 |
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| November | 21.8 | 27.9 | 24.8 | 71 | 82 | 76.7 |
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| December | 23.3 | 29.7 | 26.5 | 74 | 85 | 79.7 |
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| Year | 21.7 | 27.9 | 24.75 | 71.1 | 82.2 | 76.5 |
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Although the average temperatures are not very high, and thankfully the breeze usually blows, relieving the heat, during the warm season, very hot days 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 cool 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).
Rrainfall amounts to around 1,050 millimeters (41.5 inches) per year, so it is relatively abundant. The wettest season is 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).
Here is the average precipitation.
Rio De Janeiro - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 135 | 5.3 | 11 |
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| February | 130 | 5.1 | 7 |
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| March | 135 | 5.3 | 8 |
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| April | 95 | 3.7 | 9 |
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| May | 70 | 2.8 | 6 |
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| June | 45 | 1.8 | 6 |
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| July | 40 | 1.6 | 4 |
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| August | 45 | 1.8 | 5 |
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| September | 55 | 2.2 | 7 |
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| October | 85 | 3.3 | 9 |
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| November | 100 | 3.9 | 10 |
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| December | 135 | 5.3 | 11 |
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| Year | 1070 | 42.1 | 93 |
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The amount of sunshine 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: there are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day in January and February. In winter, the relatively dry season, as I said, there can be some cloudiness linked to depressions: there are about 6 hours of sunshine per day from June to August, and 5 in September and October. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Rio De Janeiro - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
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January | 7 | 210 | February | 7 | 200 | March | 6.5 | 205 | April | 6 | 180 | May | 6 | 185 | June | 6 | 175 | July | 6 | 190 | August | 6 | 185 | September | 5 | 145 | October | 5 | 150 | November | 5.5 | 170 | December | 6 | 180 | Year | 6 | 2180 |
The sea 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). Here are the average sea temperatures.
Rio De Janeiro - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 25.5 | 78 | February | 26 | 79 | March | 26.5 | 79 | April | 26 | 78 | May | 24.5 | 76 | June | 23 | 73 | July | 22.5 | 72 | August | 22 | 71 | September | 22 | 71 | October | 22.5 | 72 | November | 23.5 | 74 | December | 25 | 77 | Year | 24 | 75.2 |
Best Time
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.
Rio De Janeiro - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
In January, the weather in Rio De Janeiro is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.5 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 24.3 °C (75.7 °F) and a maximum of 30.6 °C (87.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (70 °F). However, it dropped to 16 °C (60.8 °F) in January 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in January 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), 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 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (78.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
In February, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Rio De Janeiro is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.8 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 24.4 °C (76 °F) and a maximum of 31.2 °C (88.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it dropped to 19.6 °C (67.3 °F) in February 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F) in February 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), 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 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
In March, the weather in Rio De Janeiro is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 26.9 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 23.9 °C (75.1 °F) and a maximum of 29.9 °C (85.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it dropped to 19 °C (66.2 °F) in March 1992.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F) in March 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), 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 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In April, the weather in Rio De Janeiro is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 25.7 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 22.8 °C (73.1 °F) and a maximum of 28.6 °C (83.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (68 °F). However, it dropped to 18 °C (64.4 °F) in April 2014.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in April 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), 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 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (78.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
In May, the weather in Rio De Janeiro is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 23.5 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 20.7 °C (69.2 °F) and a maximum of 26.4 °C (79.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (64 °F). However, it dropped to 15 °C (59 °F) in May 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in May 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), 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 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24.5 °C (75.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
In June, the weather in Rio De Janeiro is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 22.8 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 19.8 °C (67.7 °F) and a maximum of 25.9 °C (78.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62 °F). However, it dropped to 13 °C (55.4 °F) in June 1994.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in June 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), 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 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (73.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
In July, the coolest month of the year, the weather in Rio De Janeiro is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.3 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 19.2 °C (66.5 °F) and a maximum of 25.4 °C (77.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (60 °F). However, it dropped to 13.1 °C (55.6 °F) in July 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in July 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), 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 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (72 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
In August, the weather in Rio De Janeiro is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.5 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 19.4 °C (66.9 °F) and a maximum of 25.7 °C (78.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.8 °C (55 °F) in August 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in August 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), 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 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
In September, the weather in Rio De Janeiro is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 23.1 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 20 °C (68 °F) and a maximum of 26.3 °C (79.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62 °F). However, it dropped to 14 °C (57.2 °F) in September 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in September 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), 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 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
In October, the weather in Rio De Janeiro is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 24.2 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 21.2 °C (70.1 °F) and a maximum of 27.1 °C (80.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it dropped to 16.3 °C (61.3 °F) in October 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in October 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), 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 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
In November, the weather in Rio De Janeiro is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 24.8 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 21.8 °C (71.3 °F) and a maximum of 27.9 °C (82.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it dropped to 16 °C (60.8 °F) in November 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 41 °C (105.8 °F) in November 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), 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 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
In December, the weather in Rio De Janeiro is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 26.5 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 23.3 °C (74 °F) and a maximum of 29.7 °C (85.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (68.5 °F). However, it dropped to 18 °C (64.4 °F) in December 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in December 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), 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 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25 °C (76.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
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