Climate - Ponferrada (Castile and Leon)

Ponferrada: Temperatures - Precipitation - Sunshine hours - Best time - Weather by month


The climate of Ponferrada is slightly continental, with quite cold, rainy winters and warm, sunny summers (but with some cool and rainy periods).
The city is located in the north-western part of the Autonomous Community of Castile and León, in a valley at an altitude of 550 meters (1,800 feet). All around are mountains: to the north the Serra dos Ancares, with the summit of the French route of the Camino de Santiago (Alto do Poio), to the south and east the montes de León, which also include the Cruz de Ferro.
From the Atlantic Ocean, rain and mild air arrive for many months of the year, while in summer, there are several warm and sunny periods due to the Azores anticyclone (as also happens in southern Galicia).
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 5.4 °C (41.7 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 650 millimeters (25.6 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 25 mm (1 in) in the driest months (July, August) to 90 mm (3.5 in) in the wettest (December). Here is the average precipitation.

The winter, from December to February, is quite cold. Average temperatures are not very low, but at night it gets cold, and in periods of good weather, fog can form.
At times, there may also be very cold periods.
On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature generally drops to -6/-7 °C (19/21 °F). The coldest record is -10.5 °C (13 °F) and dates back to January 1945. From 2000 to 2020, the lowest temperature was -9.5 °C (15 °F), recorded in December 2001.
Snowfalls in Ponferrada are quite frequent, because cold air tends to stagnate in the valley.

The summer, from June to August, is warm and sunny.
There are hot and sunny periods, sometimes even very hot, which alternate with cooler and rainy periods, in which Atlantic disturbances prevail. In cooler periods, the temperature can drop to 10 °C (50 °F) or even below at night.
On average, the temperature exceeds 35 °C (95 °F) for 6/7 days a year. The highest recorded temperature is 40.5 °C (105 °F) and dates back to July 1951. More recently, the temperature reached 39.5 °C (103 °F) in August 1987, and 39 °C (102 °F) in June 2017 and in August 2003.



On average, there are around 2,315 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

To visit Ponferrada, you can choose the periods from mid-May to mid-June and from mid-September to mid-October. In summer, there are times when the heat is pleasant and others when it is intense. However, even in summer, it can be useful to bring a sweatshirt and a light jacket for cool evenings.

Ponferrada - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Ponferrada is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.4 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 1.4 °C (34.5 °F) and a maximum of 9.5 °C (49.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (24 °F). However, it dropped to -7.9 °C (17.8 °F) in January 2017.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (60 °F). However, it reached 19.8 °C (67.6 °F) in January 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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In February, the weather in Ponferrada is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.2 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 1.8 °C (35.2 °F) and a maximum of 12.6 °C (54.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (26 °F). However, it dropped to -8 °C (17.6 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 22.9 °C (73.2 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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In March, the weather in Ponferrada is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.2 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 4.1 °C (39.4 °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 -1.5 °C (29 °F). However, it dropped to -8.2 °C (17.2 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 27.2 °C (81 °F) in March 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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In April, the weather in Ponferrada is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.2 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 6.1 °C (43 °F) and a maximum of 18.4 °C (65.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2 °C (28.4 °F) in April 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 31.6 °C (88.9 °F) in April 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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In May, the weather in Ponferrada is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 15.6 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 9.1 °C (48.4 °F) and a maximum of 22.2 °C (72 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to 0.8 °C (33.4 °F) in May 1991.
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 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) in May 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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In June, the weather in Ponferrada is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 19.6 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) and a maximum of 26.7 °C (80.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4.4 °C (39.9 °F) in June 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 39.2 °C (102.6 °F) in June 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 20 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 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Ponferrada is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 22.0 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 14.4 °C (57.9 °F) and a maximum of 29.7 °C (85.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F). However, it reached 38.4 °C (101.1 °F) in July 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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In August, the weather in Ponferrada is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 21.7 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 14 °C (57.2 °F) and a maximum of 29.4 °C (84.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it dropped to 5.8 °C (42.4 °F) in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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In September, the weather in Ponferrada is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 18.5 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 11.5 °C (52.7 °F) and a maximum of 25.5 °C (77.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it dropped to 1.6 °C (34.9 °F) in September 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, it reached 38.7 °C (101.7 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 6 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).

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In October, the weather in Ponferrada is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.9 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 8.4 °C (47.1 °F) and a maximum of 19.4 °C (66.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1 °C (30.2 °F) in October 2012.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 32.9 °C (91.2 °F) in October 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In November, the weather in Ponferrada is usually mild. The average temperature is of 8.8 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 4.5 °C (40.1 °F) and a maximum of 13 °C (55.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (29 °F). However, it dropped to -6.8 °C (19.8 °F) in November 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). However, it reached 24 °C (75.2 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 34% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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In December, the weather in Ponferrada is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.6 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 2.1 °C (35.8 °F) and a maximum of 9.2 °C (48.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (23.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9.6 °C (14.7 °F) in December 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). However, it reached 18.4 °C (65.1 °F) in December 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 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 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).