Climate - Copenhagen (Denmark)

The climate of Copenhagen is Baltic, that is to say, relatively continental, with cold winters and mild to pleasantly warm summers.
The city is the capital of Denmark and is located on the island of Zealand, in the east of the country. On the other side of the coast, beyond the Øresund strait, lies Malmo, in Sweden.
Although the winter is not very cold for the latitude, it is often humid, windy and rainy. Snow is quite frequent, although generally not abundant. On average, there are 20 days with snow per year, 63 days with night temperatures below freezing, and 13 days with lows below -5 °C (23 °F).
Occasionally, there may be cold waves, in which the temperature can drop to -15/-16 °C (3/5 °F). At the university botanical garden, the coldest record is -24.6 °C (-12.3 °F) and was set in January 1942.
Even in spring, until April or the first half of May, there is often cold and unstable weather.
In summer, there are 15 days with highs above 25 °C (77 °F). Every now and then, short hot periods are possible. At the botanical garden, the highest record is 33.8 °C (92.8 °F) and was set in August 1975, while at the Kastrup airport, the temperature reached 31.7 °C (89 °F) in July 2018 and in late June 2019.

As regards to the length of the days, given the latitude (55°41'N), the days are short from November to January, while in February, which is as cold as January and can sometimes be even colder, the city becomes a bit brighter. On December 21, the shortest day of the year, the sun rises at 8:37 am and sets at 3:38 pm. One month later, on January 21, it rises at 8:21 am and sets at 4:21 pm. On February 21, it rises at 7:19 am and sets at 5:27 pm.
On June 21, the longest day of the year, the sun rises at 4:25 am and sets at 9:57 pm. From around June 4 to July 9, the white nights occur, when it doesn't get completely dark even at midnight.

Best Time

The best time to visit Copenhagen is the summer, from June to August, since it is the mildest season. However, you must take into account some rainy days and a bit of cold at night.

Copenhagen - Climate data

In Copenhagen, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 1.3 °C (34.3 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 17.9 °C (64.2 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Copenhagen, precipitation amounts to 660 millimeters (26 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 35 mm (1.4 in) in the driest months (March, April) to 80 mm (3.1 in) in the wettest one (August). Here is the average precipitation.
At Copenhagen, the sea temperature ranges from 2.5 °C (36 °F) in February to 18 °C (64 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.
In Copenhagen, there are on average around 1780 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Copenhagen - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Copenhagen is usually cold. The average temperature is of 1.3 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -1.1 °C (30 °F) and a maximum of 3.6 °C (38.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C (17 °F). However, it dropped to -16 °C (3.2 °F) in January 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8.5 °C (47 °F). However, it reached 11.7 °C (53.1 °F) in January 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are short.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 19% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 3 °C (37.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Copenhagen is usually cold. The average temperature is of 1.3 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -1.2 °C (29.8 °F) and a maximum of 3.8 °C (38.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (18.5 °F). However, it dropped to -11.5 °C (11.3 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it reached 14.3 °C (57.7 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 24% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 2.5 °C (36 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Copenhagen is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.3 °C (38 °F), with a minimum of -0.1 °C (31.9 °F) and a maximum of 6.7 °C (44 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (22 °F). However, it dropped to -13.3 °C (8.1 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12.5 °C (55 °F). However, it reached 17.9 °C (64.2 °F) in March 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 32% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 3 °C (37 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Copenhagen is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.4 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 3.1 °C (37.6 °F) and a maximum of 11.7 °C (53 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.4 °C (24.1 °F) in April 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 25.7 °C (78.3 °F) in April 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6 °C (42.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Copenhagen is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.8 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 7.2 °C (45 °F) and a maximum of 16.4 °C (61.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (34 °F). However, it dropped to -1.7 °C (28.9 °F) in May 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 28.4 °C (83.1 °F) in May 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10.5 °C (50.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Copenhagen is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.3 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 11 °C (51.7 °F) and a maximum of 19.7 °C (67.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) in June 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 31.7 °C (89.1 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 17 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are very long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Copenhagen is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.9 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 13.5 °C (56.2 °F) and a maximum of 22.3 °C (72.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.8 °C (44.2 °F) in July 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 31.7 °C (89.1 °F) in July 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In August, the weather in Copenhagen is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.7 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 13.5 °C (56.3 °F) and a maximum of 21.9 °C (71.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47 °F). However, it dropped to 5.6 °C (42.1 °F) in August 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 31.4 °C (88.5 °F) in August 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Copenhagen is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14.1 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 10.5 °C (50.9 °F) and a maximum of 17.8 °C (64 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40 °F). However, it dropped to 1.7 °C (35.1 °F) in September 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it reached 26.1 °C (79 °F) in September 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 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 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Copenhagen is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.5 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 6.6 °C (43.9 °F) and a maximum of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (31.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7 °C (19.4 °F) in October 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (63 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 32% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12 °C (53.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Copenhagen is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.5 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 3.2 °C (37.7 °F) and a maximum of 7.9 °C (46.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9.4 °C (15.1 °F) in November 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12.5 °C (55 °F). However, it reached 17 °C (62.6 °F) in November 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 23% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8.5 °C (47 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Copenhagen is usually cold. The average temperature is of 2.6 °C (37 °F), with a minimum of 0.3 °C (32.5 °F) and a maximum of 4.9 °C (40.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20 °F). However, it dropped to -15.9 °C (3.4 °F) in December 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9.5 °C (48.5 °F). However, it reached 12.4 °C (54.3 °F) in December 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are short. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There is an average of 1 hour of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 17% of the time.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5 °C (40.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.