Climate in Ourense (Galicia)

The climate of Ourense (Orense in Castilian) is almost Mediterranean, with mild, rainy winters and hot, sunny summers.
The city is located in the southwest of Galicia, about 80 km (50 miles) from the coast, in the area that in summer is the hottest and sunniest in the region.
Ourense is crossed by the river Minho (or Miño). About 20 kilometers (12 miles) to the north-east, we find the famous Sil canyon, the canyon carved by the river Sil a few kilometers before it enters the Minho.

The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 8.5 °C (47 °F), that of the warmest months (July and August) is of 23 °C (73 °F).

Precipitation amounts to 850 millimeters (33.5 inches) per year.

Winter, from December to February, is quite mild, but it is also cloudy, rainy and windy. Although the temperature is generally not very low, wind and humidity increase the feeling of cold.
Moreover, in periods of high pressure, the temperature can drop around freezing at night, and fog can form.
Sometimes, very cold periods can occur, even though they usually don't last long. The cold record is -8.5 °C (16.5 °F) and was recorded in December 2001. In January 1985, November 1988 and March 2005, the temperature dropped to -7 °C (19.5 °F), while in February 2012, it dropped to -6 °C (21 °F).
Snow in Ourense is very rare, but sometimes it can fall. For example, it snowed with a slight accumulation in January 1987, January 2006 and January 2009. In December 1970, however, the snowfall was abundant, ranging from 20 cm (8 in) in the center to 30 cm (12 in) in the suburbs.

The summer, from June to August, is hot and sunny.
There may be cool periods, with some rains, especially in June, and the temperature can occasionally drop below 10 °C (50 °F) at night.
However, there are also very hot periods. On average, the temperature exceeds 35 °C (95 °F) for 17 days a year. The record heat is 42.5 °C (108.5 °F), recorded in August 1990. More recently, the temperature reached 42 °C (107.5 °F) in 2003, and 41.5 °C (106.5 °F) in July 2016 and August 2018.

Best Time

To visit Ourense, you can choose the periods from mid-April to mid-June and from mid-September to mid-October, to avoid the heat that can occur in summer, although in these two periods it rains more often than in summer.

Back to Galicia.

Ourense - Climate data

In Ourense, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 8.2 °C (46.8 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 23 °C (73.3 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 850 millimeters (33.5 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 17.6 mm (0.7 in) in the driest month (July) to 119.2 mm (4.7 in) in the wettest one (October). Here is the average precipitation.
There are on average around 2045 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Ourense - 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 8.2 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 3.5 °C (38.3 °F) and a maximum of 13 °C (55.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -6.3 °C (20.7 °F) in January 2017.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in January 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 99.5 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).

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February is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.3 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 3.1 °C (37.6 °F) and a maximum of 15.5 °C (59.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (28 °F). However, it dropped to -5.9 °C (21.4 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (70 °F). However, it reached 25.5 °C (77.9 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 63.6 mm (2.5 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).

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March is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 12 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 5.1 °C (41.2 °F) and a maximum of 19 °C (66.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6.8 °C (19.8 °F) in March 2005.
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 30.6 °C (87.1 °F) in March 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 75.8 mm (3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).

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April is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 13.8 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 7 °C (44.6 °F) and a maximum of 20.7 °C (69.3 °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 -0.6 °C (30.9 °F) in April 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 32.9 °C (91.2 °F) in April 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 76.8 mm (3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 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 16.8 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 9.7 °C (49.5 °F) and a maximum of 23.9 °C (75 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 37.6 °C (99.7 °F) in May 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 63.9 mm (2.5 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).

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June is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 13.1 °C (55.6 °F) and a maximum of 27.9 °C (82.2 °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 4.8 °C (40.6 °F) in June 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F). However, it reached 40.9 °C (105.6 °F) in June 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 34.9 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 10 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 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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July 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 °C (59 °F) and a maximum of 30.6 °C (87.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.4 °C (43.5 °F) in July 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101 °F). However, it reached 42.2 °C (108 °F) in July 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 17.6 mm (0.7 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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August, the warmest 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 23 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 14.8 °C (58.6 °F) and a maximum of 31.1 °C (88 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.2 °C (45 °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 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 21.9 mm (0.9 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 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 20.1 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) and a maximum of 27.7 °C (81.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 3.2 °C (37.8 °F) in September 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 41.2 °C (106.2 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 56.1 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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October is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 9.8 °C (49.6 °F) and a maximum of 22.2 °C (72 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.2 °C (32.4 °F) in October 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 34.9 °C (94.8 °F) in October 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 119.2 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.1 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 6.3 °C (43.3 °F) and a maximum of 15.9 °C (60.6 °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 -6.3 °C (20.7 °F) in November 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it reached 26.3 °C (79.3 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 111.9 mm (4.4 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 28% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

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December is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 8.6 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 4.2 °C (39.6 °F) and a maximum of 13.1 °C (55.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8.6 °C (16.5 °F) in December 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 21.4 °C (70.5 °F) in December 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 108.3 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 5 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 25% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).