Climate - Mexico City (Mexico)

In Mexico City, the huge federal capital of Mexico, the climate is subtropical, mild or pleasantly warm during the day, while nights are cool in summer and cold in winter. In fact, the daily temperature range is remarkable, especially in the dry season.
The city is located at a tropical latitude, but at a high altitude, which ranges between 2,200 and 2,600 meters (7,200 and 8,500 ft) in the different districts, so it's in the so-called tierras frìas ("Cold Lands").
Here are the average temperatures measured at the international airport.

Rainfall is concentrated in the summer months: it exceeds 100 millimeters (4 inches) per month from June to September, and it is moderate in May and October, while it is scarce in the other months. Typically, the rains occur in the form of showers in the afternoon or evening, and when they are abundant, they can make it difficult to get around. The dry season is long, and goes from November to April. Total rainfall is around 550/650 mm (21/25 in) per year in the eastern districts, while it increases in the western districts, up to 1,000 mm (40 in) per year in the Bosques de las Lomas, which are located at the foot of mountains that are more than 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) high and are able to enhance the summer rains.
Here is the average precipitation.

In winter, from November to February, it is cold at night, while daytime temperatures are pleasant. In the city, the "urban heat island effect" reduces the overnight cooling, but in the countryside and in the less urbanized neighbourhoods, the temperature can drop to freezing (0 °C or 32 °F) or slightly below. Already in February, the daytime temperature begins to rise, often exceeding 25 °C (77 °F). It hardly ever rains. Sometimes, there can be windy days, which have the merit of cleaning the air.

Spring is the warmest season, at least during the day, thanks to the higher amount of sunshine. In April and May, the temperature often reaches 30 °C (86 °F); at night, however, it can still be a bit cold. In May, the first rains occur.

Summer, from June to September, is the wettest season: rain showers occur almost daily, although they are rarely abundant. The weather is mild, and the temperature range is reduced in comparison with the previous months: daytime temperatures are virtually the same as in winter, while at night, they are cool but not cold.

Autumn is short: in October, a month still quite mild, the last rains occur, while in November, actually it's already winter, and nights become cold again.



The amount of sunshine in Mexico City is not very good, since the weather can be variable or cloudy even during the dry season of winter, however, it is acceptable in winter and spring, before the summer rains, while cloudiness is frequent and widespread in summer. The pall of pollution that hangs over the city makes the sky often veiled and the air hazy. Anyway, the tropical sun is very strong, also because the city is located at high altitudes, especially when it is highest above the horizon around noon, ie from April to August. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

The best time to visit Mexico City is the dry season, from November to April. Within this period, we can make some distinctions: in winter, from November to February, and sometimes in March, cold nights are more frequent, with lows around freezing; from February to April, it's the sunniest period, and daytime temperatures are a bit higher, especially in March and April. All in all, the best months are March and April. Owing to the remarkable temperature range between night and day, in the dry season, it's better to dress in layers, with warm clothes for the evening and light for the day. Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses can be useful as well.
The months of May and October can be considered as an option as well: the rains are quite frequent, but less so than at the height of the rainy season, and there is the advantage that nights are not as cold as in winter.

Mexico City - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Mexico City is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 14.1 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 6.5 °C (43.8 °F) and a maximum of 21.6 °C (70.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (35 °F). However, it dropped to -1 °C (30.2 °F) in January 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in January 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 70% of the time.
The average humidity is 45%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In February, the weather in Mexico City is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 15.9 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 8.1 °C (46.5 °F) and a maximum of 23.7 °C (74.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to -1 °C (30.2 °F) in February 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 40%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In March, the weather in Mexico City is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 17.6 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 9.8 °C (49.6 °F) and a maximum of 25.5 °C (77.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in March 1996.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 32 °C (89.6 °F) in March 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 37%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In April, the weather in Mexico City is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 19.5 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 12.3 °C (54.1 °F) and a maximum of 26.7 °C (80.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in April 2003.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F). However, it reached 32 °C (89.6 °F) in April 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 38%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In May, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Mexico City is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 19.9 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 13.2 °C (55.7 °F) and a maximum of 26.7 °C (80 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 7 °C (44.6 °F) in May 1999.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86.5 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in May 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 44%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In June, the weather in Mexico City is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.5 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 13.8 °C (56.9 °F) and a maximum of 25.1 °C (77.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 8 °C (46.4 °F) in June 2007.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 32 °C (89.6 °F) in June 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 56%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In July, the weather in Mexico City is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.6 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 13.4 °C (56 °F) and a maximum of 23.8 °C (74.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8 °C (46.4 °F) in July 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in July 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 160 mm (6.3 in), distributed over 17 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 62%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In August, the weather in Mexico City is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.6 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 13.5 °C (56.2 °F) and a maximum of 23.8 °C (74.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8 °C (46.4 °F) in August 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in August 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 150 mm (5.9 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In September, the weather in Mexico City is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.2 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 13.3 °C (56 °F) and a maximum of 23 °C (73.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in September 1999.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In October, the weather in Mexico City is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.1 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 11.3 °C (52.4 °F) and a maximum of 23 °C (73.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in October 2007.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in October 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In November, the weather in Mexico City is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 8.6 °C (47.4 °F) and a maximum of 22.5 °C (72.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to -2 °C (28.4 °F) in November 2002.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in November 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 53%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In December, the weather in Mexico City is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 14.4 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 7 °C (44.5 °F) and a maximum of 21.9 °C (71.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1 °C (30.2 °F) in December 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in December 1997.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 47%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).