Climate - Malaga (Andalusia)

In Málaga, a city located on the coast of Andalusia, in southern Spain, the climate is Mediterranean, with mild, relatively rainy winters and hot, sunny summers.
To the north of the city, we find a mountain range, the Montes de Málaga, which reach 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) in height.
To the west of Malaga lies the mouth of the Guadalhorce River, and across the river lie the cities of Torremolinos and Benalmádena.
The wind blows frequently: in the cold half of the year, it comes along with Atlantic depressions, while in summer, it blows in the form of afternoon breeze.
The daily average temperature ranges from 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) in January to 26.5 °C (79.5 °F) in August. Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation is not abundant, since it amounts to 535 millimeters (21 inches) per year, and follows the Mediterranean pattern, in fact, it mostly occurs from October to March, while in summer, it almost never rains. The wettest months are November and December, with 100 mm (4 in). Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to February, is mild, and is characterized by sunny periods alternating with periods of bad weather, with wind and rain.
There is a good number of sunny days, with daytime temperatures reaching 18/20 °C (64/68 °F). With the wind from Africa, it can even exceed 20 °C (68 °F).
Very cold days are rare, however, in the coldest nights of the year, the temperature generally drops to 1/2 °C (34/36 °F). Therefore, frosts are very rare. The absolute minimum temperature is -4 °C (25 °F), recorded in February 1954. In January 1985, the temperature dropped to -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). From 2000 to 2020, the temperature only dropped to 0 °C (32 °F), in January 2005 and February 2012.
Snow in Málaga is extremely rare. The last snowfall that is remembered is that of February 1954, when there was a historic snowfall in the area around the Strait of Gibiliterra.

Spring, from March to May, is mild and sunny, with rainy days still possible, but not so frequent. In May, and sometimes in April, the first hot days occur, with highs around 30 °C (86 °F).

Summer, from June to mid-September, is hot and sunny. Typically, the temperatures hovers about 228 °C (82 °F) in June and September and around 30/31 °C (86/88 °F) in July and August, the air is humid, but sea breezes blow, in short, it's the typical Mediterranean summer.
However, when the terral wind blows from the interior of Andalusia, the heat can become intense. Fortunately, in this cases, there's a lively wind and the air becomes dry: it is advisable to drink often in order to avoid dehydration.
In fact, on the hottest days of the year, the temperature normally reaches 40 °C (104 °F). The absolute maximum temperature is 44 °C (111 °F), reached in August 1953, July 1978 and July 1994. In August 2020, it reached 43.5 °C (110 °F).

Autumn, from mid-September to November, is initially warm, and then becomes gradually milder, while periods of bad weather become gradually more frequent. In October, there are still many warm and sunny days, especially in the first half. By November, we are in the middle of autumn, with a mild climate, but often cloudy and rainy.
Sometimes, the rains can be abundant and concentrated in a short period of time, and in the past there have been floods.



The amount of sunshine in Málaga is very good in summer, when clear skies prevail. In the other seasons, there are many sunny periods, but cloudy periods are also possible. However, the sunshine in winter is at the highest levels in Europe.
On average, there are 2,900 hours of sunshine per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Given the infiltration of water from the Atlantic Ocean, the Alboran Sea is never very warm to swim in: it's still very cool in June, when the water temperature is about 20 °C (68 °F), then it reaches 22 °C (72 °F) in July and September, and 23 °C (73 °F) in August, when it becomes overall acceptable for swimming. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Málaga for walks and hikes, is spring, in April and May; you can also choose the beginning of autumn, from mid-September to mid-October, although there can sometimes be quite intense rains.
The best time for a beach holiday in Malaga and the Costa del Sol is instead the summer, from June to mid-September. It's better to bring a sweatshirt for cool and windy evenings, especially in the first part of June.

Malaga - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Malaga is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.4 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 7.6 °C (45.6 °F) and a maximum of 17.2 °C (63 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (36 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in January 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it reached 26 °C (78.8 °F) in January 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Malaga is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.0 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 8.1 °C (46.7 °F) and a maximum of 17.9 °C (64.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 28.4 °C (83.1 °F) in February 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Malaga is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 14.7 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 9.7 °C (49.5 °F) and a maximum of 19.7 °C (67.5 °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 °C (30.2 °F) in March 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (79 °F). However, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F) in March 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 4 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 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Malaga is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.6 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 11.4 °C (52.6 °F) and a maximum of 21.8 °C (71.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in April 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in April 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 5 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 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Malaga is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.6 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 14.3 °C (57.8 °F) and a maximum of 24.8 °C (76.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (49.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.8 °C (46 °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 (88.5 °F). However, it reached 35.8 °C (96.4 °F) in May 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Malaga is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 23.3 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 18.1 °C (64.5 °F) and a maximum of 28.6 °C (83.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it dropped to 12 °C (53.6 °F) in June 2000.
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 40 °C (104 °F) in June 2001.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 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 57%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In July, the weather in Malaga is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 25.8 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 20.6 °C (69.2 °F) and a maximum of 31 °C (87.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (63 °F). However, it dropped to 14 °C (57.2 °F) in July 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 39 °C (102 °F). However, it reached 44 °C (111.2 °F) in July 1994.
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 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 78% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In August, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Malaga is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 26.5 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 21.4 °C (70.6 °F) and a maximum of 31.6 °C (88.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (64 °F). However, it dropped to 14.5 °C (58.1 °F) in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 39.5 °C (102.5 °F). However, it reached 43.7 °C (110.7 °F) in August 2020.
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 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (73.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Malaga is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 23.7 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 18.8 °C (65.9 °F) and a maximum of 28.5 °C (83.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14.5 °C (58 °F). However, it dropped to 10.8 °C (51.4 °F) in September 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 38.6 °C (101.5 °F) in September 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 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 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Malaga is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.7 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 15 °C (59 °F) and a maximum of 24.4 °C (75.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in October 2008.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (86.5 °F). However, it reached 36.4 °C (97.5 °F) in October 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 4 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 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Malaga is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.7 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 11.1 °C (52 °F) and a maximum of 20.3 °C (68.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2 °C (35.6 °F) in November 1999.
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 30.4 °C (86.7 °F) in November 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 6 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 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Malaga is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.3 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 8.8 °C (47.8 °F) and a maximum of 17.8 °C (64.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in December 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it reached 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) in December 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 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 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.