Weather and climate in Gothenburg (Sweden)

The climate of Gothenburg (Göteborg) is Baltic, that is to say, relatively continental, with cold winters and mild summers.
The city is located on the south-western coast of Sweden, on the strait that separates it from Denmark (Kattegat), and is exposed to ocean currents, therefore it is milder, but also rainier, than the rest of the country (but Malmö, in the far south, is even milder).
However, the temperature drops below -5 °C (23 °F) for 40 days a year, and below 0 °C (32 °F) for 100 days. At worst, the temperature can drop to -20 °C (-4 °F) or below. The coldest record is -26.4 °C (-15.5 °F) and was set in February 1966.
In summer, there are 15 days with a temperature above 25 °C (77 °F), while 30 °C (86 °F) are reached very rarely. The highest record is 34.1 °C (93.4 °F) and was set in July 2018.
Given the latitude (57°42'N), the white nights, in which the sun sets but it does not get completely dark even at midnight, occur from May 22 to July 21.

Best Time

The best time to visit Gothenburg is the summer, from June to August, since it is the mildest season. However, you must take into account some rainy days and a bit of cold at night.

Gothenburg - Climate data

The average temperature of the coldest month (February) is of -0.4 °C (31.2 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 16.6 °C (61.9 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 915 millimeters (36 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 50 mm (2 in) in the driest month (April) to 100 mm (3.9 in) in the wettest one (October). Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 2.5 °C (36 °F) in February to 17.5 °C (64 °F) in July, August. Here are the average sea temperatures.
There are on average around 1685 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Gothenburg - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2017

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January is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -0.3 °C (31 °F), with a minimum of -3 °C (26.6 °F) and a maximum of 2.4 °C (36.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13.5 °C (8 °F). However, it dropped to -22.4 °C (-8.3 °F) in January 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). However, it reached 11 °C (51.8 °F) in January 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are short.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 20% of the time.
The average humidity is 89%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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February, the coldest month of the year, is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -0.4 °C (31 °F), with a minimum of -3.3 °C (26 °F) and a maximum of 2.5 °C (36.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12.5 °C (9 °F). However, it dropped to -21.3 °C (-6.3 °F) in February 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 7.5 °C (46 °F). However, it reached 10 °C (50 °F) in February 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 25% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 2.5 °C (37 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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March is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 1.9 °C (35 °F), with a minimum of -1.8 °C (28.8 °F) and a maximum of 5.5 °C (42 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -9.5 °C (15.5 °F). However, it dropped to -20.9 °C (-5.6 °F) in March 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it reached 18 °C (64.4 °F) in March 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 3 °C (38 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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April is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 6.2 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 1.6 °C (34.9 °F) and a maximum of 10.8 °C (51.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5 °C (23 °F). However, it dropped to -9 °C (15.8 °F) in April 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in April 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6 °C (43 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.6 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 5.8 °C (42.4 °F) and a maximum of 15.4 °C (59.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in May 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in May 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10.5 °C (51 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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June is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.8 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 9.5 °C (49 °F) and a maximum of 18.2 °C (64.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in June 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F) in June 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 18 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are very long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.6 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 12.3 °C (54.1 °F) and a maximum of 20.9 °C (69.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5.3 °C (41.5 °F) in July 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82 °F). However, it reached 32.5 °C (90.5 °F) in July 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 17 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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August is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.2 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 11.9 °C (53.4 °F) and a maximum of 20.5 °C (68.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it dropped to 3.5 °C (38.3 °F) in August 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 32 °C (89.6 °F) in August 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (64 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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September is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.6 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 8.4 °C (47.2 °F) and a maximum of 16.7 °C (62.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in September 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in September 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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October is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.8 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 4.3 °C (39.7 °F) and a maximum of 11.3 °C (52.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (25 °F). However, it dropped to -11.4 °C (11.5 °F) in October 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it reached 20.5 °C (68.9 °F) in October 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12 °C (53.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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November is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 3.9 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 1.2 °C (34.2 °F) and a maximum of 6.6 °C (43.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (19 °F). However, it dropped to -14 °C (6.8 °F) in November 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it reached 14 °C (57.2 °F) in November 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are short.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 18% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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December is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 0.9 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -1.8 °C (28.7 °F) and a maximum of 3.6 °C (38.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12.5 °C (10 °F). However, it dropped to -21.4 °C (-6.5 °F) in December 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8.5 °C (47 °F). However, it reached 11 °C (51.8 °F) in December 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 6 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are short. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There is an average of 1 hour of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 15% of the time.
The average humidity is 89%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5.5 °C (41.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.