Climate - Tarifa (Andalusia)

Tarifa, a town on the southern tip of Spain, has a peculiar climate, cool and windy because of the prevailing winds coming from the sea: the ponente (west wind) and the levante (east wind, more frequent and intense).
Wind gusts of 80 kph (50 mph) or more are not uncommon, and can also occur in summer. Sometimes it can even exceed 100 kph (60 mph).
There are very large beaches such as Playa de Los Lances and Valdevalquero. Sometimes, the wind is so strong that it can lift the sand.
Because of the waves generated by the wind, this part of the coast of Andalusia is particularly appreciated by surfers and kitesurfers.
You can also go diving around the Isla de las Palomas, the southernmost point of Europe, a small island located about 200 meters (650 feet) away from the mainland, to which it is connected by a causeway. The pier of Punta de Tarifa is particularly windy. To the south, you can see the coast of Morocco, which is just 15 km (9 mi) away. In the strait that separates Europe from Africa (Strait of Gibraltar), you can watch whales and dolphins.



The average temperature of the coldest months (January and February) is 13 °C (55.5 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is 22.8 °C (73 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Rainfall amounts to 630 millimeters (25 inches) per year, and follows the Mediterranean pattern, in fact, it is more abundant from October to February, when it's equal to or higher than 75 mm (3 in) per month (and during some years, it can be plentiful), while it becomes very rare in summer. Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to February, is a very mild season, characterized by sunny periods alternating with periods of bad weather, with wind and rain. During some years, the rains can be heavy or frequent.
Even if the temperatures are mild, the wind can increase the feeling of cold.
For its southern location and with the sea on two sides, Tarifa is quite sheltered from the cold. On the coldest days of the year, the temperature typically drops to 3/4 °C (37/39 °F).
The cold record is -3 °C (27 °F), and it has been set on January 28, 2005. Other low values were -2 °C (28.5 °F) in February 1954, 0 °C (32 °F) in February 1956, and 0.5 °C (33 °F) in January 1987.
Snow in Tarifa is extremely rare. Snow fell only in February 1954 and early March 1993.

Spring, from March to mid-June, is mild, and gradually becomes less rainy and more sunny. However, there may still be periods of bad weather, especially in March and April. In periods of good weather, the east wind, moderate or strong, cools down the air.

Summer, from mid-June to mid-September, is mild and sunny, with a bit of haze, and it's definitely not as warm as in southern Spain. Typically, daytime temperatures are not very high, remaining around 25 °C (77 °F). The air is humid and the east wind steadily blows: at certain times, it can be moderate, but at other times, it can be very strong for weeks. There may be cooler days, with highs about 20/22 °C (68/72 °F) even in July and August.
The highest records are around 35/37 °C (95/99 °F), but heat waves from Africa occur rarely. On the warmest days of the year, the temperature typically reaches 28/30 °C (82/86 °F).

Autumn, from mid-September to November, is mild, with the rains becoming gradually more frequent. In November, but sometimes also in October, we are well into autumn, with a mild climate, but also cloudy and rainy.



The amount of sunshine in Tarifa is very good in late spring and summer, from May to September, when clear skies prevail (though less than in the rest of Andalusia, since a bit of mist or some cloud banks can sometimes form), while it is acceptable in autumn and winter, when, in addition to sunny periods, cloudy and rainy periods are possible.
The total is 2,600 hours of sunshine per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

The sea in Tarifa (we are at the border between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea) remains cool even in summer, in fact, it reaches a maximum of 22/23 °C (72/73 °F) from July to September. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time for a beach holiday in Tarifa is the summer, from June to mid-September. It is worth while to recall that in periods when the wind is stronger, sunbathing on the beach may be unpleasant. It's better to bring a sweatshirt and a scarf (and maybe a windbreaker) for chilly and windy evenings.
If you plan to go hiking and walking, especially in the cities of Andalusia such as Seville and Córdoba, you can choose April, May and October, since the summer in that area is very hot.

Tarifa - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Tarifa is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.8 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 10.3 °C (50.5 °F) and a maximum of 15.3 °C (59.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.3 °C (26.1 °F) in January 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it reached 20.9 °C (69.6 °F) in January 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Tarifa is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.9 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 10.4 °C (50.7 °F) and a maximum of 15.4 °C (59.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.7 °C (28.9 °F) in February 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 20.7 °C (69.3 °F) in February 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Tarifa is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14.3 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 12 °C (53.6 °F) and a maximum of 16.6 °C (61.9 °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 1.2 °C (34.2 °F) in March 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (69.5 °F). However, it reached 24.8 °C (76.6 °F) in March 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 6 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 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Tarifa is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.4 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 12.9 °C (55.2 °F) and a maximum of 17.8 °C (64 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it dropped to 4.3 °C (39.7 °F) in April 2004.
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 30.5 °C (86.9 °F) in April 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Tarifa is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.6 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 15 °C (59 °F) and a maximum of 20.1 °C (68.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.4 °C (45.3 °F) in May 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77 °F). However, it reached 31.9 °C (89.4 °F) in May 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Tarifa is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.2 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 17.7 °C (63.9 °F) and a maximum of 22.7 °C (72.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12 °C (53.6 °F) in June 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 34.9 °C (94.8 °F) in June 2004.
Precipitation amounts to only 7 mm (0.3 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 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 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In July, the weather in Tarifa is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.0 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 19.4 °C (66.9 °F) and a maximum of 24.7 °C (76.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it dropped to 11.9 °C (53.4 °F) in July 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 34.3 °C (93.7 °F) in July 2004.
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (72 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Tarifa is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 22.8 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 20.2 °C (68.4 °F) and a maximum of 25.4 °C (77.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (63 °F). However, it dropped to 14.2 °C (57.6 °F) in August 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 35.4 °C (95.7 °F) in August 2010.
Precipitation amounts to only 4 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (73.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Tarifa is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.3 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 18.9 °C (66 °F) and a maximum of 23.7 °C (74.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (59.5 °F). However, it dropped to 11.1 °C (52 °F) in September 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 18 mm (0.7 in), distributed over 2 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 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (72 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Tarifa is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 16.7 °C (62.1 °F) and a maximum of 21.3 °C (70.3 °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 °C (48.2 °F) in October 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 31.8 °C (89.2 °F) in October 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Tarifa is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.8 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) and a maximum of 18.2 °C (64.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.4 °C (36.3 °F) in November 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, it reached 27.1 °C (80.8 °F) in November 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Tarifa is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.8 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 11.5 °C (52.7 °F) and a maximum of 16.2 °C (61.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in December 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 21 °C (69.8 °F) in December 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.