Climate in Budapest (Hungary)

The climate of Budapest is continental, with cold winters and warm summers.
The city is the capital of Hungary and is located in the north of the country, 35 km (20 mi) away from the border with Slovakia. The Danube River cuts the city in two at an altitude of 100 meters (330 feet), but while the east part (Pest) is flat, the west part (Buda) climbs hills that exceed 300 meters (1,000 feet). The highest point, the János Hill, reaches 527 meters (1,729 feet).
At Ferihegy Airport, the average temperature ranges from -0.5 °C (31 °F) in January to 21.5 °C (70.5 °F) in July.
Precipitation is not abundant, in fact, it amounts to 525 millimeters (20.7 inches) per year, although it's fairly well distributed over the seasons. However, there is a maximum in late spring and early summer (from May to July) due to afternoon thunderstorms.



Winter, from December to February, is cold, with average temperatures around freezing (0 °C or 32 °F) or slightly below. Cold air often stagnates on the ground, bringing cold and gray weather, with mist and fog; snowfall is quite frequent, but generally not abundant.
On some occasions, however, cold air masses from Russia invade the Hungarian Plain, bringing strong winds at the beginning and then intense frosts. The coldest record is -27 °C (-16.6 °F) and was set in January 1987.

In spring, different situations occur: the average temperature rises quickly, and already in March, the first pleasant days may occur, but the return of wintry weather is also possible, with snow and frost in March and more rarely in April. The clash between different air masses can generate intense winds.
In the second half of April, the temperature can already exceed 20 °C (68 °F), and in May, the first hot days can occur, with peaks around 30 °C (86 °F). However, in other situations, it can still be cold in the first half of May, and more rarely in the second, at least at night. By May, thunderstorms begin to erupt in the afternoon.

Summer, from June to August, is warm and sunny. In fine weather, afternoon thunderstorms can occur.
Sometimes, Atlantic weather fronts can still affect this area, bringing cool and rainy weather.
At other times, there may be heat waves, most likely in July and August, during which the maximum temperature can reach and exceed 35 °C (95 °F). The highest record is 40 °C (104 °F) and was set in July 2007.

Autumn is initially a mild and pleasant season in September, when, however, it sometimes begins to get a little cold at night, then, by October, the temperature decreases rapidly, and cloudiness and rain become more frequent. November is a cold and gray month, and in the course of the month, the first snowfalls may occur.

The amount of sunshine in Budapest is good in May and in summer, while it's poor or mediocre from November to February, when gray skies predominate. On average, there are 2,130 hours of sunshine per year.

The latitude of Budapest (47°30'N) is more or less the same as Seattle, therefore in the north of the United States.
On June 21, the longest day of the year, the sun rises at 4:46 am and sets at 8:44 pm. On August 15, the sun rises at 5:40 am and sets at 7:55 pm. On December 21, the shortest day of the year, the sun rises at 7:28 am and sets at 3:55 pm.

Best Time

In order to avoid both the winter cold and the summer heat, the best times to visit Budapest are spring and autumn, and in particular, the months of May, June and September: daytime temperatures are pleasant, although it's better to bring a sweater and a jacket for the evening. In July and August, the temperature is usually not too hot, however, there is the risk of some very hot days, which can happen, though more rarely, also in the second half of June and in the first half of September.

Budapest - Climate data

In Budapest, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -0.6 °C (31 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 21.4 °C (70.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 525 millimeters (20.7 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 30 mm (1.2 in) in the driest months (February, March) to 60 mm (2.4 in) in the wettest one (June). Here is the average precipitation.
There are on average around 2130 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Budapest - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -0.6 °C (31 °F), with a minimum of -4 °C (24.9 °F) and a maximum of 2.8 °C (37.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13 °C (9 °F). However, it dropped to -22 °C (-7.6 °F) in January 2017.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it reached 18 °C (64.4 °F) in January 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 27% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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February is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 1.2 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -3.2 °C (26.3 °F) and a maximum of 5.5 °C (42 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12 °C (10.5 °F). However, it dropped to -23 °C (-9.4 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it reached 19 °C (66.2 °F) in February 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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March is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.6 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 0.4 °C (32.6 °F) and a maximum of 10.8 °C (51.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (19.5 °F). However, it dropped to -16 °C (3.2 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (66.5 °F). However, it reached 23 °C (73.4 °F) in March 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 6 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 70%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).

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April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.1 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 4.9 °C (40.9 °F) and a maximum of 17.2 °C (63 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28 °F). However, it dropped to -8 °C (17.6 °F) in April 2020.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in April 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.7 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 9.6 °C (49.3 °F) and a maximum of 21.9 °C (71.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to -1 °C (30.2 °F) in May 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in May 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.5 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 13.5 °C (56.3 °F) and a maximum of 25.6 °C (78 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in June 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in June 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.4 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 15.2 °C (59.4 °F) and a maximum of 27.6 °C (81.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in July 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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August is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.3 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 14.9 °C (58.8 °F) and a maximum of 27.7 °C (81.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in August 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F) in August 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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September is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.2 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 10.5 °C (50.8 °F) and a maximum of 22 °C (71.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in September 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 34 °C (93.2 °F) in September 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.7 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 5.5 °C (41.8 °F) and a maximum of 16 °C (60.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -10 °C (14 °F) in October 1997.
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 °C (82.4 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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November is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.4 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 1.7 °C (35 °F) and a maximum of 9.1 °C (48.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20.5 °F). However, it dropped to -13 °C (8.6 °F) in November 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63 °F). However, it reached 21 °C (69.8 °F) in November 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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December is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 0.3 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -2.7 °C (27.2 °F) and a maximum of 3.3 °C (38 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12 °C (10.5 °F). However, it dropped to -20 °C (-4 °F) in December 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it reached 17 °C (62.6 °F) in December 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 30 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 24% of the time.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).