Climate - Tunis (Tunisia)

In Tunis, the climate is Mediterranean, with mild, rainy winters and very hot, sunny summers.
The city is the capital of Tunisia and is located in the north of the country, on the gulf of the same name.
Although the city is located on the coast, the climate is heavily influenced by the desert wind, which can bring very mild weather in winter (with highs above 20 °C or 68 °F), hot in the shoulder seasons (around 30/35 °C or 86/95 °F in April, May, October and November), and scorchingly hot in summer, with more than 40 °C (104 °F), and with peaks of 45 °C (113 °F), from June to September.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is 12.2 °C (54 °F), that of the hottest month (August) is 28.6 °C (83.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 485 millimeters (19 inches) per year and follows a Mediterranean pattern, with a maximum in autumn and winter and a minimum in summer. Here is the average rainfall.

The amount of sunshine is excellent from May to August, when clear skies prevail, while in the rest of the year, even though clear days are frequent, they alternate with periods of bad weather of a few days, in which clouds prevail. The total annual, 2,800 hours of sunshine, is still very good.

Winter is mild, and is the rainiest season, due to the passage of Atlantic or Mediterranean disturbances. However, there are periods of good weather too.
It rarely gets very cold, although there can sometimes be cold days, with highs below 10 °C (50 °F), when air masses from northern Europe manage to arrive here.
Snow in Tunis is very rare. Once every few years, during the most intense cold spells, a snowfall can be observed, but with temperatures above freezing and without accumulation. However, in January 1981, it snowed for two days, and the temperature dropped to -1 °C (30 °F). Snow whitened the city again on January 31, 1999.

Spring is initially a quite unstable season, in March and the first half of April, with some rainy and windy periods, and then gradually becomes warmer and sunnier.
The sirocco can bring significant increases in temperature. In 2006, the temperature reached 41.5 °C (106.5 °F) already in May.

Summer is hot and sunny. The rains are very rare, however, a short shower can occasionally break out.
There are periods when the daytime temperature is around 30 °C (86 °F), the humidity is high and the breeze blows from the sea, but also periods when the wind blows from the desert and the temperature reaches or exceeds 40 °C (104 °F).
The heat record is 49 °C (120 °F), recorded in August 2021. The previous was 47 °C (116.5 °F), recorded in June 2007 and July 1973. In 2007, the temperature also reached 45 °C (113 °F) in July and 44.5 °C (112 °F) in August (during different heat waves).

In autumn, temperatures are pleasant, with many sunny days, but also the first rains, which gradually become more frequent.
In September, there is still often summer-like weather, especially in the first part of the month, but in the course of the month, the first rains occur. Sometimes, the rains can be strong and concentrated in a short time.



The sea is warm enough for swimming from July to September; in June it is still a bit cool.

When to go

To visit Tunis you can choose the spring, in particular the period from mid-April to mid-May, being generally mild and sunny, and with a low period of very hot days.
You can also choose autumn, from mid-October to mid-November, but the days are a little shorter and the rains a little more frequent.
In winter, there are several mild and sunny periods, but also waves of bad weather, with rain and wind.
Summer, from June to September, is hot, sometimes too hot when the sirocco blows.
For a beach holiday, on the other hand, the situation changes, and the best time is summer.

Tunis - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020
(January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December)

In January, the coldest month of the year, the average temperature is of 12.2 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 7.9 °C (46.2 °F) and a maximum of 16.4 °C (61.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, in January 1995, it reached 25.1 °C (77.2 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
On average, there are 145 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 4.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 75%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F).

In February, the average temperature is of 13.3 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 9.7 °C (49.5 °F) and a maximum of 16.9 °C (62.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (37 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (73 °F). However, in February 2010, it reached 28.5 °C (83.3 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 6 days.
On average, there are 165 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6 hours per day.
The average humidity is 73%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F).

In March, the average temperature is of 15.7 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 11.9 °C (53.5 °F) and a maximum of 19.4 °C (67 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, in March 2001, it reached 36.5 °C (97.7 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
On average, there are 200 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F).

In April, the average temperature is of 15.1 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 7.9 °C (46.2 °F) and a maximum of 22.3 °C (72.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (45 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, in April 2001, it reached 33.1 °C (91.6 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
On average, there are 225 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F).

In May, the average temperature is of 20.9 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 15.3 °C (59.5 °F) and a maximum of 26.5 °C (79.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (50.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (94.5 °F). However, in May 2006, it reached 41.4 °C (106.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 4 days.
On average, there are 280 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 9 hours per day.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F).

In June, the average temperature is of 25.1 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 19.1 °C (66.4 °F) and a maximum of 31 °C (87.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 39 °C (102.5 °F). However, in June 2007, it reached 47 °C (116.6 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
On average, there are 310 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 10.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 21 °C (70 °F).

In July, the average temperature is of 28.0 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 22 °C (71.6 °F) and a maximum of 34.1 °C (93.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18.5 °C (65 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 41.5 °C (107 °F). However, in July 1998, it reached 46.4 °C (115.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
On average, there are 355 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 11.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 55%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75 °F).

In August, the warmest month of the year, the average temperature is of 28.6 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 22.7 °C (72.9 °F) and a maximum of 34.5 °C (94.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (65 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 41.5 °C (106.5 °F). However, in August 1994, it reached 46.5 °C (115.7 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), and all occurs in one day.
On average, there are 330 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 10.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F).

In September, the average temperature is of 25.6 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 20.6 °C (69.1 °F) and a maximum of 30.6 °C (87 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (61 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (99.5 °F). However, in September 2011, it reached 42 °C (107.6 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 5 days.
On average, there are 260 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 8.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 25 °C (77 °F).

In October, the average temperature is of 21.9 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 17.2 °C (62.9 °F) and a maximum of 26.7 °C (80.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (92 °F). However, in October 1999, it reached 40 °C (104 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 6 days.
On average, there are 215 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7 hours per day.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F).

In November, the average temperature is of 17.1 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 12.6 °C (54.7 °F) and a maximum of 21.6 °C (70.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (82 °F). However, in November 2012, it reached 30.5 °C (86.9 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
On average, there are 175 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6 hours per day.
The average humidity is 72%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 19 °C (66 °F).

In December, the average temperature is of 13.4 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 9.1 °C (48.4 °F) and a maximum of 17.6 °C (63.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73 °F). However, in December 2009, it reached 29.6 °C (85.3 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
On average, there are 150 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 75%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F).