Climate - Merida (Extremadura)

The climate of Mérida can be defined as Mediterranean, even though winter nights are often cold, while the summer is particularly hot.
The city is located in the southwest of Spain, in Extremadura (of which it is the capital), 215 meters (705 feet) above sea level, and is crossed by the Guadiana River, which then heads towards Badajoz.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 9.2 °C (48.5 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 26.3 °C (79.3 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 470 millimeters (18.5 inches) per year: it is therefore quite scarce. It ranges from 5 mm (0.2 in) in the driest months (July, August) to 70 mm (2.8 in) in the wettest ones (November, December). Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to February, is mild.
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 -3/-4 °C (25/27 °F).
Snow in Mérida is very rare, because when it is cold there are no bad weather conditions, while the humid currents from the Atlantic are also mild. However, snow fell in February 1983 and January 2010.

Summer, from June to mid-September, is very hot and sunny, with very rare rains.
Highs are usually about 35 °C (95 °F) in July and August, however, there are periods of scorching heat. On the hottest days of the year, the temperature normally reaches 41/42 °C (106/108 °F).
In August 2003, the temperature even reached 46 °C (115 °F), while in July 2017 it reached 44.5 °C (112 °F). In July 2020, the average maximum was 38.9 °C (102 °F).
However, the humidity is not high, and the daily temperature range is considerable, so that nights usually bring a bit of relief.



On average, there are around 2,860 sunshine hours per year. Therefore, the city is very sunny. 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 Mérida 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.

Back to Extremadura.