Climate in Granada (Andalusia)

Granada, a city of Andalusia, has a slightly continental climate, with moderately cold winters and hot, sunny summers. The daily temperature range is often remarkable. In fact, the city is located in southern Spain, but at about 700 meters (2,300 feet) above sea level, and a short distance from the mountains of the Sierra Nevada.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 7.5 °C (45.5 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 26 °C (79 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation is fairly scarce, since it amounts to 355 millimeters (14 inches) per year. In fact, the rains follow a pattern similar to the Mediterranean one, so they are more frequent from November to April, but the winter is not very rainy. In summer, it practically never rains. Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to February, is not very cold on average, but the differences in temperature between night and day are considerable, besides, it depends on the periods.
The days can be mild, especially when the Azores anticyclone settles on the Iberian Peninsula, bringing periods of good weather also in winter, with highs around 15/16 °C (59/61 °F), but nights are typically cold, with lows close to freezing (0 °C or 32 °F).
The rains, brought by Atlantic depressions, are relatively frequent, but generally not abundant. In these periods, with cloudy skies, temperatures remain quite mild even at night.
However, there are also cold periods.
On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature drops to -4/-5 °C (23/25 °F), but it can sometimes reach lower values, and in the past it has even dropped below -10 °C (14 °F), for example, it has dropped to -13.5 °C (7.5 °F) in February 1954, and to -12.5 °C (9.5 °F) in January 1971 and January 1987. After the year 2000, it dropped to -10 °C (14 °F) in January 2005 and in February 2012.
Snow in Granada is not that rare. Generally, it snows 1/2 days a year, but a white mantle that covers the city is seen only once every few years. However, it is easier to see the snow on the Alhambra, which dominates the city at 800 meters (2,600) feet above sea level.
In the nearby mountain range of Sierra Nevada, where the highest peaks of the Iberian Peninsula are found, starting from Mount Mulhacén, 3,482 meters (11,424 feet) high, there are ski lifts.

Summer, from June to August, is hot and sunny. The heat is often scorching during the day, in fact the maximum temperature can easily reach 36/37 °C (97/99 °F). Luckily, the air is dry. However, the temperature at night remains relatively cool, ranging typically from 15 °C to 20 °C (59 °F to 68 °F), except in the hottest periods.
On the hottest days of the year, the temperature typically reaches 40 °C (104 °F). The highest record is 43 °C (109.5 °F), recorded in July 2015 and July 2017. At Federico García Lorca airport, located 15 km (9 mi) west of the city and 567 meters (1,860 ft) above sea level, in July 2017 it even reached 45.5 °C (114 °F).

Spring and autumn are mild and variable, so there are periods of good weather, but also Atlantic fronts, which bring clouds and rain. The wind is quite frequent, and the temperature range between night and day is remarkable.



The amount of sunshine in Granada is great in summer, when clear skies prevail: in July, there are on average 12 hours of sunshine per day. Sunny days are possible throughout the year: even in December and January, there are no less than 5 hours of sunshine per day. The annual total is nearly 2,900 hours of sunshine. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

To avoid the summer heat, the best times to visit Granada are spring and autumn, especially from mid-April to mid-May and from mid-September to mid-October. Given the temperature range, it can get cold at night and hot during the day, so it's useful to dress in layers.

Those who can stand the heat can also choose the summer, but they must be prepared to stroll around the city in hot weather. However, even in summer, it can be useful to bring a sweatshirt for the evening.

Granada - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.6 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 2.1 °C (35.8 °F) and a maximum of 13.2 °C (55.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10 °C (14 °F) in January 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it reached 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) in January 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 6 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 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).

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February is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 8.8 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 3 °C (37.4 °F) and a maximum of 14.7 °C (58.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29 °F). However, it dropped to -10 °C (14 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (70 °F). However, it reached 25.7 °C (78.3 °F) in February 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.7 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 5.4 °C (41.7 °F) and a maximum of 18 °C (64.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32 °F). However, it dropped to -6.4 °C (20.5 °F) in March 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 31.2 °C (88.2 °F) in March 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 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 60%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).

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April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.8 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 7.5 °C (45.5 °F) and a maximum of 20 °C (68 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36 °F). However, it dropped to -1.9 °C (28.6 °F) in April 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 32.6 °C (90.7 °F) in April 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 6 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 57%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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May is generally a very mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 17.8 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 10.8 °C (51.4 °F) and a maximum of 24.7 °C (76.5 °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 1.6 °C (34.9 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (90 °F). However, it reached 39.6 °C (103.3 °F) in May 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 5 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 51%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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June is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 22.6 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 14.9 °C (58.8 °F) and a maximum of 30.2 °C (86.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (50 °F). However, it dropped to 6.5 °C (43.7 °F) in June 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98 °F). However, it reached 41.4 °C (106.5 °F) in June 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 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 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 43%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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July, the hottest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 25.8 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 17.6 °C (63.7 °F) and a maximum of 34.1 °C (93.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.8 °C (49.6 °F) in July 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 39 °C (102 °F). However, it reached 43.1 °C (109.6 °F) in July 2015.
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 25 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 37%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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August is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 25.6 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 17.6 °C (63.7 °F) and a maximum of 33.6 °C (92.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (55.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101.5 °F). However, it reached 42 °C (107.6 °F) in August 2012.
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 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
The average humidity is 41%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).

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September is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 21.2 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 14.5 °C (58.1 °F) and a maximum of 27.9 °C (82.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5.2 °C (41.4 °F) in September 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 41.6 °C (106.9 °F) in September 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 3 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 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 51%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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October is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.6 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 10.7 °C (51.3 °F) and a maximum of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.4 °C (32.7 °F) in October 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 35.2 °C (95.4 °F) in October 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).

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November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.4 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 6 °C (42.8 °F) and a maximum of 16.8 °C (62.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5.3 °C (22.5 °F) in November 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in November 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).

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December is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 8.7 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 3.5 °C (38.3 °F) and a maximum of 13.9 °C (57 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (29 °F). However, it dropped to -7.4 °C (18.7 °F) in December 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). However, it reached 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) in December 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 7 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 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (3 mph).