Climate in Madrid (Spain)

The climate of Madrid is moderately continental, with quite cold, relatively rainy winters and hot, sunny summers.
The city is the capital of Spain and is located in the center of the Meseta, the plateau that occupies the interior of the country, at an altitude ranging between 570 and 740 meters (1,870 and 2,430 feet). The city center is at 655 meters (2,150 feet).
At Cuatro Vientos airport, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 6.5 °C (43.5 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 26 °C (79 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation is not abundant, since it amounts to 455 millimeters (18 inches) per year, in fact, the landscape of the plateau is semi-arid, especially during the summer months. The rains, however, are quite frequent from October to April. In May, and more rarely in summer, some thunderstorms can break out in the afternoon, but generally, from June to August it almost never rains.
Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to February, is relatively cold.
The rains, brought by Atlantic depressions, are quite frequent, but generally not abundant.
Days can be mild, especially when the Azores anticyclone settles on the Iberian Peninsula, bringing periods of good weather even in winter, with highs around 13/15 °C (55/59 °F), but nights remain typically cold, with minimum temperatures near freezing (0 °C or 32 °F). Sometimes, at night and in the early morning, especially in December and January, fog can form.
There may be some cold and windy days, with maximum temperatures around or below 5 °C (41 °F).
Every now and then, even cold waves can occur.
The lowest temperatures are reached in the north-east of the city (see Torrejón de Ardoz, Alcalá de Henares). In this area, at Barajas airport, 610 meters (2,000 ft) above sea level, the record cold was set, even -15 °C (5 °F) in January 1945 and February 1963. Thereafter, the temperature reached -10 °C (14 °F) a few times (after the year 2000, it happened in December 2001 and in January 2005), although in January 2021, it dropped to -13 °C (8.5 °F). At Cuatro Vientos airport, on the southwestern outskirts of the city, the record is -13 °C (8.5 °F), recorded in January 2021. The previous record was -11.5 °C (11.5 °F) and dated back to February 1963.
Snowfalls in Madrid are usually rare and not abundant. However, snow is a bit more frequent in the northern districts of the city, which are located at a higher altitude. Light snowfalls can be observed every year or almost, but a significant accumulation is rarely observed. In January 1952, the snow reached 30 centimeters (12 inches) in some areas. In March 1971, 20 cm (8 in) of snow fell in the center, and up to 30 cm (12 in) in the northern districts. In December 1977, 20 cm (8 in) fell on the north side. In February 1984, 15 cm (half a foot) of snow fell homogeneously in the city, while in February 2005, snow depth reached 10 cm (4 in). In January 2009, the snow reached 15 cm (6 in).
The snowfall of January 2021, when the snow reached half a meter (20 in), was therefore the most abundant of the post-war period, but we must probably go back to that of November 1904 to find a similar or greater thickness.

Summer, from June to August, is hot and sunny.
There is often scorching heat during the day, in fact, the temperature easily reaches 35/36 °C (95/97 °F), and almost every year 40 °C (104 °F), however, the air is dry, so the heat is more bearable. In addition, at night, the temperature becomes fairly cool, hovering typically from 15 °C to 20 °C (59 to 68 °F). However, in the hottest periods, the temperature drops to acceptable values only late at night, also because the sun sets late because of the time zone adopted (the sun sets at 9.45 pm in mid-July and at 9.10 pm in mid-August). Generally, the maximum temperature is recorded around 5 pm, and at 8 pm the heat is still intense.
The heat record was set in August 2021: 43 °C (109.5 °F) at Barajas airport and 42 °C (108 °F) at Cuatro Vientos. The previous records were 42 °C (108 °F) at Barajas (in July 1995) and 41 °C (105.5 °F) at Cuatro Vientos (in August 2018).
The city empties in the summer, those who work in Madrid return to their place of origin, while locals go on vacation to the sea. Those who stay in the city go out after dark, or go in search of coolness in the mountains north of the city (the Sierra de Guadarrama).

Spring and autumn are mild and variable, with sunny periods, but also the passage of Atlantic disturbances, which bring clouds and rain. Spring, being the most contrasted season of the year, is also the windiest.
In both seasons, there are pleasantly warm and sunny days, but the temperature drops rapidly after sunset.



The amount of sunshine in Madrid 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: after all, even from November to January, there are no less than 4/5 hours of sunshine per day.
Indeed, with 2,800 hours of sunshine per year, Madrid is one of the sunniest cities in Spain and in all of Europe. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

The best periods to visit Madrid are spring and autumn, in particular, you can choose the month of May, and from mid-September to mid-October. In June, it can already be hot. In April, it can be a bit cold, especially in the first half of the month, and at night, also in the second half of the month, when the days are generally pleasant.
September, too, is a good month, but it can still be hot at the beginning, while during the month, the first rains can occur. In October, the air is often mild, but the days are getting shorter, the rains are more frequent, and it can get a bit cold at night.
Those who can stand the heat can choose July and August, but they must be prepared to stroll around the city in very hot weather.
The temperature range between day and night is often high, so it is useful to dress in layers and to bring something warm: even in midsummer, you may want a sweatshirt for the evening (or maybe late at night, when the city is still alive).
Also, in the summer it is useful to bring a sun hat and ... to drink a lot.

Madrid - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 6.3 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 1.9 °C (35.5 °F) and a maximum of 10.8 °C (51.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10 °C (14 °F) in January 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it reached 20.6 °C (69.1 °F) in January 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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February is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.6 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 2.5 °C (36.6 °F) and a maximum of 12.8 °C (55 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7 °C (19.4 °F) in February 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 23 °C (73.4 °F) in February 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.8 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 5.1 °C (41.3 °F) and a maximum of 16.4 °C (61.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6 °C (21.2 °F) in March 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in March 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 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 53%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.2 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 7.4 °C (45.3 °F) and a maximum of 19 °C (66.1 °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 °C (30.2 °F) in April 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 30.4 °C (86.7 °F) in April 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 52%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.4 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 11 °C (51.8 °F) and a maximum of 23.8 °C (74.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.2 °C (29.8 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (89 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in May 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 46%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 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 22.8 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 15.8 °C (60.4 °F) and a maximum of 29.8 °C (85.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7 °C (44.6 °F) in June 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (98 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in June 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 0 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 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 70% of the time.
The average humidity is 37%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 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 26.0 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 18.6 °C (65.5 °F) and a maximum of 33.4 °C (92.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (55 °F). However, it dropped to 9.2 °C (48.6 °F) in July 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101 °F). However, it reached 40.2 °C (104.4 °F) in July 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 11.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 80% of the time.
The average humidity is 33%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 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 25.8 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 18.6 °C (65.5 °F) and a maximum of 32.9 °C (91.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (55 °F). However, it dropped to 9 °C (48.2 °F) in August 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38 °C (100.5 °F). However, it reached 41 °C (105.8 °F) in August 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
The average humidity is 35%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 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 21.4 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 14.9 °C (58.9 °F) and a maximum of 28 °C (82.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in September 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 39.5 °C (103.1 °F) in September 2016.
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 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 43%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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October is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.8 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 10.4 °C (50.8 °F) and a maximum of 21.3 °C (70.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in October 2012.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in October 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 56%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).

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November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.0 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 5.3 °C (41.6 °F) and a maximum of 14.6 °C (58.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -5 °C (23 °F) in November 2008.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (70 °F). However, it reached 24 °C (75.2 °F) in November 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 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 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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December is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.0 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 2.6 °C (36.7 °F) and a maximum of 11.4 °C (52.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -8 °C (17.6 °F) in December 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (62 °F). However, it reached 19 °C (66.2 °F) in December 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 20 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).