Climate - Gibraltar (United Kingdom)

Gibraltar: Temperatures - Precipitation - Sunshine hours - Sea temperatures - Best time - Weather by month


The climate of Gibraltar, a small British territory in southern Spain, is Mediterranean, with mild, rainy winters and warm, sunny summers.
However, it has a peculiar microclimate, wet and windy, and it's protected both from the freezing cold and from the intense heat because of its location on the strait of the same name, but also because of the presence of the Rock, a promontory overlooking the city, 426 meters (1,398 feet) high.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 13.7 °C (56.7 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 24.7 °C (76.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to nearly 800 millimeters (31.5 inches) per year, and follows the Mediterranean pattern, so it's more abundant from November to February, when it's equal to or higher than 100 mm (4 in) per month (and it can be abundant during some years), while it is very rare in summer. Here is the average precipitation.

The wind blows frequently: in the cold half of the year, it blows from the west, together with Atlantic depressions, while in spring and summer, in periods of good weather, the levant (easterly wind) blows, a moderate or strong wind that increases its speed when channeled into the strait. Sometimes, the wind creates a peculiar cloud on the Rock of Gibraltar, which insists especially in the central part of the city, and can also partially descend towards the plain, generating some fogs.



Winter, from December to February, is mild, and characterized by sunny periods, but also periods of bad weather, with wind and rain. During some years, the rains can be particularly heavy or frequent.
On the other hand, for its southern location, and also in a peninsula surrounded by the sea, the city is quite sheltered from the cold. On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature typically drops to 5/6 °C (41/43 °F). However, in January 1978, it reached 0 °C (32 °F). Later, it reached 1.5 °C (34.5 °F) in January 1985, and 1 °C (34 °F) in January 2005.

Spring, from March to mid-June, is mild, and gradually receives less rain and more sunshine over the weeks. In March, and sometimes in the first half of April, there may still be heavy rains. In May and June, with the arrival of good weather, the cloud above the rock often forms, so the weather remains cool and moist.

Summer, from mid-June to mid-September, is warm and sunny, but less so than in southern Spain. Typically, the temperatures are not very high, and remain below 30 °C (86 °F); the air is moist and sea breezes blow, sometimes lively. Even in July, and more rarely in August, there may be some quite cool and cloudy days, with highs around 25/27 °C (77/81 °F).
Sometimes, however, the wind from Africa brings some hot days, with highs about 35 °C (95 °F). In July 1994, the temperature even reached 40.5 °C (105 °F), while in July 2015, it reached 38 °C (100.5 °F).

Autumn, from mid-September to November, is mild; rainy periods gradually increase. In September, there are still many warm and sunny days. By November, but sometimes also by October, we are now well into autumn, in fact, the weather is mild, but it's also often cloudy and rainy.



The amount of sunshine in Gibraltar is good in late spring and summer, from May to September, when clear skies prevail (but sometimes, as previously mentioned, the local cloud and mist can form), while it's moderate in autumn and winter, when, in addition to sunny periods, cloudy and rainy periods are possible.
In total, there are 2,675 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Given the infiltration of water from the Atlantic Ocean, the Alboran Sea near Gibraltar is not warm to swim in, and it is still very cool in June, when the water temperature is about 20 °C (68 °F), then it rises to 22/23 °C (72/73 °F) from July to September. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

If you want to go hiking in Gibraltar, the best time is late spring, from mid-April to mid-June. However, since it's usually not too hot in summer, you can also choose this season, bearing in mind that, if you want to combine the trip with an excursion to Andalusia, you will find intense heat, especially in inland areas (therefore, in this case, you can choose April, May and October, as we recommended for Seville). Autumn is mild, but it can be very rainy, as well as winter.
The best time for a beach holiday is summer, from June to mid-September. It's better to bring a sweatshirt or sweater for cool and windy evenings, especially in June, but for safety, also in July and August, especially if you are sensitive to cold.
Beware of monkeys, which reign supreme in the rock and steal bags from tourists.

Gibraltar - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

---

In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Gibraltar is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.7 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 11 °C (51.8 °F) and a maximum of 16.4 °C (61.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in January 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (68 °F). However, it reached 22.5 °C (72.5 °F) in January 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

---

In February, the weather in Gibraltar is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14.0 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 11.4 °C (52.5 °F) and a maximum of 16.7 °C (62.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45 °F). However, it dropped to 3 °C (37.4 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (69 °F). However, it reached 24.1 °C (75.4 °F) in February 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 23 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

---

In March, the weather in Gibraltar is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 12.6 °C (54.8 °F) and a maximum of 18.3 °C (65 °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 2 °C (35.6 °F) in March 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 27.2 °C (81 °F) in March 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 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 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

---

In April, the weather in Gibraltar is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.9 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 13.8 °C (56.9 °F) and a maximum of 20 °C (68 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (50.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.8 °C (46 °F) in April 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 30.8 °C (87.4 °F) in April 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

---

In May, the weather in Gibraltar is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.3 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 16 °C (60.8 °F) and a maximum of 22.6 °C (72.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.8 °C (49.6 °F) in May 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83 °F). However, it reached 32.6 °C (90.7 °F) in May 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

---

In June, the weather in Gibraltar is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.0 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 18.4 °C (65.2 °F) and a maximum of 25.6 °C (78 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, it dropped to 14.1 °C (57.4 °F) in June 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 34.6 °C (94.3 °F) in June 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 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 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

---

In July, the weather in Gibraltar is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 24.2 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 20.4 °C (68.8 °F) and a maximum of 28 °C (82.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (64 °F). However, it dropped to 14.4 °C (57.9 °F) in July 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 40.6 °C (105.1 °F) in July 1994.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
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.

---

In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Gibraltar is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 24.7 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 21.1 °C (70 °F) and a maximum of 28.4 °C (83.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it dropped to 16.6 °C (61.9 °F) in August 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 37.6 °C (99.7 °F) in August 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (73.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

---

In September, the weather in Gibraltar is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 22.8 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 19.6 °C (67.4 °F) and a maximum of 25.9 °C (78.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.2 °C (54 °F) in September 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 34.5 °C (94.1 °F) in September 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 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 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. 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.

---

In October, the weather in Gibraltar is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.9 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 17.2 °C (62.9 °F) and a maximum of 22.5 °C (72.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it dropped to 10.5 °C (50.9 °F) in October 2008.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °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 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

---

In November, the weather in Gibraltar is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.6 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 14 °C (57.2 °F) and a maximum of 19.2 °C (66.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in November 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 29.2 °C (84.6 °F) in November 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 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 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

---

In December, the weather in Gibraltar is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 14.6 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 12.2 °C (53.9 °F) and a maximum of 17 °C (62.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (45 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in December 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (69.5 °F). However, it reached 24 °C (75.2 °F) in December 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 175 mm (6.9 in), distributed over 9 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 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.