Weather and climate in Santander (Cantabria)

The climate of Santander is temperate oceanic, with mild, rainy winters and cool, relatively rainy summers.
The city is the capital of the autonomous community of Cantabria and is located in the north of Spain, on the coast of the Cantabrian Sea, where the climate is decidedly cooler and more humid than in the rest of the country.
The wind blows frequently from the ocean, and can be strong, especially in the cold half of the year. On the other hand, the warm and dry southerly wind, which descends from the Cantabrian Mountains, can cause sudden increases in temperature due to the foehn effect. With this wind, the temperature can reach 20 °C (68 °F) in winter and exceed 30 °C (86 °F) from May to September (although it is rare in summer).
At night, fog can form, even in summer.
The average temperature of the coldest months (January, February) is of 10.5 °C (51 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 20.5 °C (69 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 1,115 millimeters (43.9 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 50 mm (2 in) in the driest month (July) to 155 mm (6.1 in) in the wettest (November). Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to February, is mild and rainy. Atlantic disturbances regularly pass over northern Spain, bringing rain and cloudy skies. Although the temperatures are generally mild, wind and humidity can increase the feeling of cold.
When the south wind blows, however, the temperature can reach 20 °C (68 °F) even in the middle of winter.
Cold spells are quite rare, and don't produce remarkable effects. However, there may be some cold days, with highs around 5 °C (41°F).
Occasionally it can even snow, although the snow tends to melt quite early, since the temperature usually rises above freezing, at least during the day. However, snowfall with significant accumulation (20 centimeters or 8 inches and more) occurred in February 1954, February 1956 and January 1985. More recently, the city was covered with snow, albeit with a smaller layer, in February 2018.
On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature generally drops to around 0 °C (32 °F). At the airport, which is located in Santander Bay but further from the open sea, the temperature dropped to -5.5 °C (22 °F) in January 1957. In February 1956, the temperature dropped to -4 °C (25 °F) in the city and -5 °C (23 °F) at the airport.

The summer, from June to August or mid-September, is cool and cloudy. The weather is variable, so there can be drizzle, sunny spells and short showers.
It rarely gets hot: generally the temperature reaches 30 °C (86 °F) on the hottest days of the year, perhaps only for a day or two. This happens when the wind blows from the south and comes down from the mountains. As this happens more easily in spring and autumn, the highest temperature is often reached in June or September.
However, sporadically, temperatures of 35 °C (95 °F) from June to September cannot be excluded. The extreme highs in the city were 37.5 °C (99.5 °F) in June 1976 and 37 °C (98.5 °F) in September 1987.



On average, there are around 1,645 sunshine hours per year (a little less than in Paris). Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea temperature ranges between 12 °C (54 °F) and 21 °C (70 °F). So, it never becomes warm for swimming, however, those who stand the cold can try to swim from July to September. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Santander is from June to mid-September, since it is the mildest and driest period of the year. It's better to bring a sweatshirt and a light jacket for the evening and for rainy days; an umbrella or a waterproof windbreaker can be useful too.

Back to Cantabria.

Santander - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.6 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 8 °C (46.3 °F) and a maximum of 13.3 °C (56 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to -0.5 °C (31.1 °F) in January 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 23.8 °C (74.8 °F) in January 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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February, the coldest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.4 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 7.5 °C (45.5 °F) and a maximum of 13.3 °C (56 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.8 °C (30.6 °F) in February 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). However, it reached 26.3 °C (79.3 °F) in February 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12 °C (53.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.8 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 8.8 °C (47.9 °F) and a maximum of 14.9 °C (58.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.3 °C (31.5 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it reached 27.2 °C (81 °F) in March 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.7 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 9.7 °C (49.5 °F) and a maximum of 15.7 °C (60.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 2.5 °C (36.5 °F) in April 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it reached 28.2 °C (82.8 °F) in April 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.0 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 12.2 °C (53.9 °F) and a maximum of 17.8 °C (64.1 °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 5.5 °C (41.9 °F) in May 2016.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 34 °C (93.2 °F) in May 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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June is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.6 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 14.9 °C (58.8 °F) and a maximum of 20.2 °C (68.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.6 °C (49.3 °F) in June 2002.
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 36.6 °C (97.9 °F) in June 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 25 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 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 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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July is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.7 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 17 °C (62.6 °F) and a maximum of 22.4 °C (72.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it dropped to 11.8 °C (53.2 °F) in July 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 33.5 °C (92.3 °F) in July 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. 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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August, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 17.6 °C (63.7 °F) and a maximum of 23.3 °C (74 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.6 °C (54.7 °F) in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 35.5 °C (95.9 °F) in August 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21 °C (70 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.8 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 15.8 °C (60.5 °F) and a maximum of 21.8 °C (71.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54 °F). However, it dropped to 9.5 °C (49.1 °F) in September 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 33.6 °C (92.5 °F) in September 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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October is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.8 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 13.6 °C (56.6 °F) and a maximum of 19.9 °C (67.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4.5 °C (40.1 °F) in October 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in October 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.2 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 10.4 °C (50.8 °F) and a maximum of 16 °C (60.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1.4 °C (34.5 °F) in November 1999.
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 28.6 °C (83.5 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 32% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
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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December is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.4 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 8.8 °C (47.8 °F) and a maximum of 14.1 °C (57.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in December 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (67.5 °F). However, it reached 23.8 °C (74.8 °F) in December 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 0 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 27% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.