Climate - Murcia (Spain)

The climate in Murcia can be defined as almost Mediterranean, in fact, it has a particularly remarkable aridity and a very hot summer, and also a good amount of sunshine even in winter. Murcia is the capital of the Autonomous Community of the same name; it is located at sea level, about 35 km (20 mi) away from the coast, in south-eastern Spain.
In winter, there are several mild periods, while occasionally, there can be cold periods, with highs around 10 °C (50 °F) and light frosts at night. At Alcantarilla air base, the temperature dropped to -6 °C (21 °F) in December 1940 and December 1941, and to -5 °C (23 °F) in February 1956 and January 1991. From 2000 to 2020, the lowest temperature has been -4.7 °C (23.5 °F), recorded in January 2011.
Snow in Murcia is very rare, however, the conditions for a snowfall can sometimes occur, even if many years apart. Snowfalls with accumulation occurred in February 1983 and in January 2017.
In summer, owing to the position of the city, in southern Spain but at a certain distance from the sea, and with a mountain range that partially isolates it from the sea (the Cordillera Sur), the heat is particularly intense.
Every year, there are very hot days, during which the temperature reaches or exceeds 40 °C (104 °F). In July 1994, it reached as high as 46 °C (115 °F), while in August 2021 it reached 45 °C (113 °F). In 2012, it went up to 44 °C (111 °F) in June and to 44.5 °C (112 °F) in August, while in 2016, it reached 43.5 °C (110 °F) in early September. In July 2015, the average maximum ot the whole month has been 37 °C (98.6 °F).
The daily average temperature ranges from 10.7 °C (51.3 °F) in January to 27.8 °C (82 °F) in August. Here are the average temperatures.

Rainfall is scarce, only 290 millimeters (11.4 inches) per year; in particular, winter is drier than it normally is in Mediterranean climates. In summer, it almost never rains. Owing to the scarcity of rainfall, the landscape is arid. Rainy days are particularly rare, although when it rains, it can sometimes rain a lot.
In the city, basically it never snows, while sometimes, it can snow in the higher areas of the province.
Here is the average precipitation.

The amount of sunshine in Murcia is great in summer, when clear skies prevail. Even in winter, however, there are many sunny days, in fact, there are 5 and a half hours of sunshine a day in December and 6 in January. With nearly 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, Murcia is in fact one of the sunniest cities in Spain and all of Europe. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

Even though good weather is not always guaranteed, spring and autumn are ideal for visiting the city of Murcia and for excursions to the other cities of the interior (see Lorca), since the summer can be very hot.
The best time for a beach holiday in the Costa de Murcia (Costa Cálida) is the summer.

Murcia - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Murcia is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.7 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 4.4 °C (40 °F) and a maximum of 17 °C (62.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5 °C (23 °F) in January 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 26 °C (78.8 °F) in January 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).

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In February, the weather in Murcia is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.8 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 5.4 °C (41.8 °F) and a maximum of 18.2 °C (64.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.2 °C (24.4 °F) in February 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 28.9 °C (84 °F) in February 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 3 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 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 56%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In March, the weather in Murcia is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 14.2 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 7.5 °C (45.5 °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 °C (34 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in March 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 32.4 °C (90.3 °F) in March 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 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 51%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In April, the weather in Murcia is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 16.8 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 10 °C (50.1 °F) and a maximum of 23.6 °C (74.5 °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 2.2 °C (36 °F) in April 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in April 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 48%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In May, the weather in Murcia is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 20.3 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 13.5 °C (56.3 °F) and a maximum of 27.1 °C (80.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47 °F). However, it dropped to 4.4 °C (39.9 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 42.5 °C (108.5 °F) in May 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 3 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 45%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In June, the weather in Murcia is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 24.5 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F) and a maximum of 31.5 °C (88.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (55.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9 °C (48.2 °F) in June 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38 °C (100 °F). However, it reached 44 °C (111.2 °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 12 kph (7 mph).

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In July, the weather in Murcia is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 27.5 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 20.5 °C (68.9 °F) and a maximum of 34.4 °C (94 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). However, it dropped to 13 °C (55.4 °F) in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 40 °C (104 °F). However, it reached 46.1 °C (115 °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 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 11.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
The average humidity is 45%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Murcia is usually very hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 27.8 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 21 °C (69.8 °F) and a maximum of 34.5 °C (94.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it dropped to 14.6 °C (58.3 °F) in August 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 40 °C (104 °F). However, it reached 44.6 °C (112.3 °F) in August 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 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 47%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In September, the weather in Murcia is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 24.2 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 18 °C (64.3 °F) and a maximum of 30.5 °C (86.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (55.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8 °C (46.4 °F) in September 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F). However, it reached 43.6 °C (110.5 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 53%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In October, the weather in Murcia is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.8 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 13.7 °C (56.6 °F) and a maximum of 25.9 °C (78.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.8 °C (37 °F) in October 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (90 °F). However, it reached 35.2 °C (95.4 °F) in October 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 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 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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In November, the weather in Murcia is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14.5 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) and a maximum of 20.5 °C (68.9 °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 -3 °C (26.6 °F) in November 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 30.2 °C (86.4 °F) in November 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 4 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 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).

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In December, the weather in Murcia is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.3 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 5.3 °C (41.6 °F) and a maximum of 17.3 °C (63.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.4 °C (24.1 °F) in December 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in December 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 3 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 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).