Climate - Rugen (Germany)

The climate of Rügen is sub-oceanic, humid and rainy, influenced by currents from the Atlantic and the North Sea, with cold, gray winters and mild or pleasantly warm summers.
Rügen, the largest German island, is located in the Baltic Sea, a short distance from the coast. It is connected to the mainland by a bridge from the town of Stralsund.
The wind blows frequently, and can be intense, especially from November to March. Not surprisingly, windsurfing and kitesurfing are practiced here.
Inside the island there are bays and lagoons. Nearby is a smaller island, Hiddensee.
In the small town of Putbus, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 0.8 °C (33.4 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 17.8 °C (64 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 635 millimeters (25 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 35 mm (1.4 in) in the driest month (April) to 75 mm (3 in) in the wettest (June and August). Here is the average precipitation.

Although the winter is not very cold for the latitude, it is often humid, windy and rainy. There may be relatively mild periods, when Atlantic currents prevail, and other colder periods, when the temperature drops below freezing and it can snow.
Sometimes, there can be cold spells, in which temperatures can drop as low as -10 °C (14 °F) or even below. In fact, Scandinavian high pressure systems can reverse the normal circulation and bring very cold periods, which in the past were more frequent. The cold record is -20 °C (-4 °F), set in January 1985 and in February 2012.
Even in spring, until April or the first half of May, there is often cold and unstable weather. In April, there may still be some snow showers.
In summer, the temperatures are generally pleasant and lend themselves to outdoor activities, although there are cool and rainy periods, and sometimes thunderstorms can break out.
At times, hot periods can occur, generally of short duration, which in recent years are becoming more frequent due to global warming, and in which the temperature can exceed 28 °C (82 °F). However, given the latitude and the short distance from the sea, the heat is less intense and lasting than in the central-southern German plains. On the hottest days of the year, the temperature typically reaches 31 °C (88 °F). The heat record is 36 °C (97 °F), set in late June 2019.



On average, there are around 1,760 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea temperature ranges between 3 °C (37 °F) and 18 °C (64 °F). So, it never becomes warm for swimming (except for tourists from northern Europe). Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Rügen runs from mid-May to mid-September, since it is the warmest and sunniest period of the year. Sometimes, it can be hot in July and August, while in other circumstances, nights can be cool even in these months, so it can be useful to bring a sweatshirt or sweater and a light jacket.

Rugen - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Rugen is usually cold. The average temperature is of 0.8 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -1.3 °C (29.7 °F) and a maximum of 2.8 °C (37 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C (17 °F). However, it dropped to -17.4 °C (0.7 °F) in January 2006.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it reached 13 °C (55.4 °F) in January 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 17% of the time.
The average humidity is 91%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Rugen is usually cold. The average temperature is of 1.4 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -0.9 °C (30.4 °F) and a maximum of 3.6 °C (38.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (19.5 °F). However, it dropped to -20.2 °C (-4.4 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9.5 °C (48.5 °F). However, it reached 15.2 °C (59.4 °F) in February 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 23% of the time.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Rugen is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.7 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 0.7 °C (33.2 °F) and a maximum of 6.8 °C (44.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (24 °F). However, it dropped to -12.6 °C (9.3 °F) in March 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15 °C (58.5 °F). However, it reached 19.9 °C (67.8 °F) in March 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 34% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 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 April, the weather in Rugen is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.7 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 3.8 °C (38.8 °F) and a maximum of 11.7 °C (53.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6.9 °C (19.6 °F) in April 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (68 °F). However, it reached 26.5 °C (79.7 °F) in April 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5.5 °C (42 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Rugen is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.8 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 7.4 °C (45.3 °F) and a maximum of 16.3 °C (61.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.4 °C (29.5 °F) in May 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in May 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 5 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 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Rugen is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.2 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 10.9 °C (51.5 °F) and a maximum of 19.6 °C (67.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) in June 2009.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 35.8 °C (96.4 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 17 hours and 10 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 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In July, the weather in Rugen is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.7 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 13.3 °C (56 °F) and a maximum of 22.1 °C (71.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 7.2 °C (45 °F) in July 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 33.2 °C (91.8 °F) in July 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Rugen is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.8 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 13.6 °C (56.4 °F) and a maximum of 22 °C (71.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 6.6 °C (43.9 °F) in August 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 34 °C (93.2 °F) in August 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 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 Rugen is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14.5 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 11 °C (51.7 °F) and a maximum of 18.1 °C (64.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 4.6 °C (40.3 °F) in September 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 28.5 °C (83.3 °F) in September 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% 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 Rugen is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.7 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 6.9 °C (44.4 °F) and a maximum of 12.6 °C (54.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (34 °F). However, it dropped to -2.5 °C (27.5 °F) in October 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 23.2 °C (73.8 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 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 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12 °C (54 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Rugen is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.2 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 3.2 °C (37.7 °F) and a maximum of 7.3 °C (45.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (28 °F). However, it dropped to -7.5 °C (18.5 °F) in November 1993.
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 18.7 °C (65.7 °F) in November 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 20% 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 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Rugen is usually cold. The average temperature is of 1.9 °C (35 °F), with a minimum of 0 °C (31.9 °F) and a maximum of 3.9 °C (39 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (20 °F). However, it dropped to -15 °C (5 °F) in December 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it reached 13.4 °C (56.1 °F) in December 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 25 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 14% of the time.
The average humidity is 90%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5 °C (41 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.