Climate - Rio De Janeiro (Brazil)

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).

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.

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.

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.

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
(January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December)

In January, 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, in January 1994, it dropped to 16 °C (60.8 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, in January 1994, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
On average, there are 210 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7 hours per day.
The average humidity is 77%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (78.5 °F).

In February, the warmest month of the year, 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, in February 1997, it dropped to 19.6 °C (67.3 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, in February 2015, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), distributed over 7 days.
On average, there are 200 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7 hours per day.
The average humidity is 76%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F).

In March, 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, in March 1992, it dropped to 19 °C (66.2 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, in March 2017, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 8 days.
On average, there are 205 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 79%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 26.5 °C (79.5 °F).

In April, 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (68 °F). However, in April 2014, it dropped to 18 °C (64.4 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, in April 1998, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 9 days.
On average, there are 180 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6 hours per day.
The average humidity is 78%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (78.5 °F).

In May, 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (64 °F). However, in May 2007, it dropped to 15 °C (59 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, in May 2017, it reached 35 °C (95 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
On average, there are 185 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6 hours per day.
The average humidity is 78%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 24.5 °C (75.5 °F).

In June, 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62 °F). However, in June 1994, it dropped to 13 °C (55.4 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F). However, in June 2014, it reached 35 °C (95 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
On average, there are 175 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6 hours per day.
The average humidity is 78%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (73.5 °F).

In July, the coldest month of the year, 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, in July 2007, it dropped to 13.1 °C (55.6 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, in July 2001, it reached 35 °C (95 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 4 days.
On average, there are 190 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6 hours per day.
The average humidity is 78%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (72 °F).

In August, 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, in August 2009, it dropped to 12.8 °C (55 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, in August 1993, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 5 days.
On average, there are 185 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6 hours per day.
The average humidity is 76%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F).

In September, 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62 °F). However, in September 2006, it dropped to 14 °C (57.2 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F). However, in September 1993, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
On average, there are 145 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 77%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F).

In October, 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, in October 2004, it dropped to 16.3 °C (61.3 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, in October 1997, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 9 days.
On average, there are 150 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 77%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).

In November, 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, in November 2006, it dropped to 16 °C (60.8 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94.5 °F). However, in November 2013, it reached 41 °C (105.8 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 10 days.
On average, there are 170 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 5.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 79%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 23.5 °C (74.5 °F).

In December, 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, in December 2018, it dropped to 18 °C (64.4 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, in December 2015, it reached 40 °C (104 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
On average, there are 180 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6 hours per day.
The average humidity is 78%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 25 °C (76.5 °F).