Climate - Cordoba (Andalusia)

The climate of Córdoba, a city of Andalusia, can be defined as Mediterranean, but owing to the particularly hot summer, it can be considered as an almost African city. In fact, Córdoba is in summer the hottest city not only in Spain but throughout Europe, and often even more so than the nearby city of Seville, which is equally located in the plain to south of the Sierra Morena and crossed by the Guadalquivir river, but a little closer to the sea.
Córdoba is located at an altitude of 100 meters (330 feet), at the foot of the Sierra Morena. The upper part of the city reaches up to 250 meters (800 ft).
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 9.5 °C (49 °F), that of the hottest months (July and August) is of 28 °C (82.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to around 600 millimeters (23.5 inches) per year, so it is not abundant; however, it is concentrated, as is normal in Mediterranean climates, between autumn and early spring. The rainiest month is December, with 110 mm (4.3 in). Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to February, is mild, even though it is a bit colder than in Seville.
There are many sunny days, in which the air is mild during the day, but it can get cold at night. Also, in periods of good weather, fog can form at night and in the early morning.
However, there are also periods of bad weather, with wind and rain.
Very cold days are rare, however, due to the distance from the sea, there may be light frosts at night. On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature generally drops to -2/-3 °C (27/28 °F).
Occasionally, there may also be short cold spells. The cold record is -8 °C (17.5 °F) and was set in December 1979 and in January 2005. In January 1985, the temperature reached -6 °C (21 °F), and in February 2012, it reached -4.5 °C (23.5 °F).
Snow in Córdoba is very rare (although it is a little more frequent than in Seville). Snow is more frequent in the upper part of the city. Snowfalls that also whitened the city center occurred in February 1954 (when it also snowed in Seville), January 1971, March 1971, January 2006 (therefore, after 35 years), and January 2010.

Spring is a bit unstable in March and sometimes in April, with windy and sometimes rainy days, but overall, it's a mild and sunny season, and it becomes more and more stable and soon even hot, before the rest of Europe. Already in April, daytime temperatures often approach 30 °C (86 °F). In May, the first very hot days can occur, especially in the second half of the month.

Summer, from June to mid-September, is very hot and sunny, with very rare rains.
Highs are usually about 37 °C (99 °F) in July and August, however, there are periods of scorching heat. On the hottest days of the year, the temperature normally reaches 42/43 °C (107/109 °F).
The highest temperature is 47 °C (116.5 °F) and was recorded in August 2021. In July 2015, the average maximum was 40.3 °C (104.5 °F), with an extreme maximum of 45 °C (113 °F). In that year, the temperature had already reached 41 °C (106 °F) in May. In 2016, it reached 45.5 °C (114 °F) in early September.
However, the humidity is not high, and the daily temperature range is considerable, so that nights usually bring a bit of relief.

Autumn, from mid-September to November, is initially hot and sunny: still in October, especially in the first half, the temperature often reaches 30 °C (86 °F). However, in this season, rain starts to fall.

The amount of sunshine in Córdoba is great in summer, when clear skies prevail, it is good in spring, especially from mid-April onwards, and it is still decent in autumn and winter, when there is a moderate amount of cloudy days, during periods of bad weather, but there are also sunny periods.
In one year, there are 2,900 hours of sunshine. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

In order to avoid both the summer heat and the winter rains, the best months to visit Córdoba are April, May and October, though it can sometimes rain. Those who can stand the heat can also choose the summer, but they have to be prepared to stroll around the city with scorching heat.
In winter, you can find several pleasant days, sunny and spring-like, although it can get cold at night, and waves of bad weather are not excluded.

Cordoba - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Cordoba is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.5 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 3.9 °C (39 °F) and a maximum of 15.1 °C (59.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8.2 °C (17.2 °F) in January 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (68 °F). However, it reached 23.2 °C (73.8 °F) in January 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).

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In February, the weather in Cordoba is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.1 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 4.9 °C (40.8 °F) and a maximum of 17.4 °C (63.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -4.9 °C (23.2 °F) in February 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (73 °F). However, it reached 26.6 °C (79.9 °F) in February 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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In March, the weather in Cordoba 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 7.3 °C (45.2 °F) and a maximum of 20.9 °C (69.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in March 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (82 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in March 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In April, the weather in Cordoba is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 16.7 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 9.8 °C (49.7 °F) and a maximum of 23.5 °C (74.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to 1.2 °C (34.2 °F) in April 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F). However, it reached 34 °C (93.2 °F) in April 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In May, the weather in Cordoba is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 12.9 °C (55.3 °F) and a maximum of 28.1 °C (82.6 °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 2.4 °C (36.3 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 41.2 °C (106.2 °F) in May 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 52%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In June, the weather in Cordoba is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 25.1 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 16.8 °C (62.2 °F) and a maximum of 33.4 °C (92 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (54 °F). However, it dropped to 9.2 °C (48.6 °F) in June 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 40 °C (104 °F). However, it reached 44.1 °C (111.4 °F) in June 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 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 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 44%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In July, the weather in Cordoba is usually very hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 28.2 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 19.2 °C (66.6 °F) and a maximum of 37.2 °C (98.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (59 °F). However, it dropped to 11.6 °C (52.9 °F) in July 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 42.5 °C (108.5 °F). However, it reached 46.7 °C (116.1 °F) in July 2017.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 11.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 81% of the time.
The average humidity is 38%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In August, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Cordoba is usually very hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 28.3 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 19.7 °C (67.4 °F) and a maximum of 36.9 °C (98.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.4 °C (54.3 °F) in August 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 42.5 °C (108.5 °F). However, it reached 46 °C (114.8 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 80% of the time.
The average humidity is 39%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In September, the weather in Cordoba is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 24.4 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 17.1 °C (62.9 °F) and a maximum of 31.6 °C (89 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.4 °C (45.3 °F) in September 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38 °C (100.5 °F). However, it reached 45.5 °C (113.9 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 49%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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In October, the weather in Cordoba is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.4 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 13.1 °C (55.7 °F) and a maximum of 25.6 °C (78.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (45 °F). However, it dropped to 3.7 °C (38.7 °F) in October 2008.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in October 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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In November, the weather in Cordoba is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.5 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 7.9 °C (46.2 °F) and a maximum of 19.2 °C (66.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2 °C (28.4 °F) in November 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 29.7 °C (85.5 °F) in November 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).

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In December, the weather in Cordoba is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.4 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 5.1 °C (41.3 °F) and a maximum of 15.7 °C (60.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5.2 °C (22.6 °F) in December 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (70 °F). However, it reached 23.2 °C (73.8 °F) in December 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).