The climate of Montevideo is
subtropical (according to the Köppen classification: humid subtropical climate - Cfa), with mild winters (from June to August) and hot summers (from December to March). The rains are well distributed throughout the year, although they slightly increase in spring and autumn.
The city is the capital of Uruguay and is located in the south of the country, at almost 35 degrees south latitude, on the north coast of the River Plate (Río de la Plata), in the part that opens towards the Atlantic Ocean.
During the day it can get
hot all year round, in fact the heat records are around 28/29 °C (82/84 °F) even in winter. Instead, from December to March, in summer, there can be heat waves, in which the temperature reaches or exceeds 35 °C (95 °F). However, due to the sea breeze, the heat is less intense than in the interior of Uruguay. Furthermore, as happens in the rest of the country, the south wind is able to interrupt the hot and sultry periods, bringing pleasant (and sometimes very cool) weather for two or three days.
In winter, there can be
cold waves from the south, during which the temperature can drop to the freezing point or a little below at night, and can remain around 8 °C (46 °F) during the day. Also, fog can sometimes form.
In Montevideo, it almost never snows. The last snowfall occurred on July 13, 1930, during the inaugural match of the FIFA Football Cup.
Best Time
To visit Montevideo you can choose spring and autumn (in particular, the months of October and April), even though they are quite rainy seasons.
If you want you can also choose the summer, since the city is mitigated by the ocean, however, sometimes it can get very hot. Even in the height of summer, it is advisable to bring a sweatshirt for cooler evenings.
However, the winter is not a prohibitive season, and it rarely gets very cold.
Montevideo - Climate data
The
average temperature of the coldest month (July) is of 10.6 °C (51.1 °F), that of the warmest month (January) is of 23.2 °C (73.7 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Montevideo - Average temperatures (1991-2020) Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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January | 18 | 28.3 | 23.2 | 64 | 83 | 73.7 |
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February | 17.9 | 27.5 | 22.7 | 64 | 82 | 72.9 |
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March | 16.5 | 25.6 | 21 | 62 | 78 | 69.9 |
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April | 13.5 | 22.1 | 17.8 | 56 | 72 | 64 |
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May | 10.4 | 18.5 | 14.4 | 51 | 65 | 58 |
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June | 7.6 | 15.4 | 11.5 | 46 | 60 | 52.7 |
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July | 6.7 | 14.5 | 10.6 | 44 | 58 | 51.1 |
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August | 8 | 16.7 | 12.4 | 46 | 62 | 54.2 |
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September | 9.2 | 18.1 | 13.6 | 49 | 65 | 56.6 |
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October | 11.8 | 20.9 | 16.4 | 53 | 70 | 61.4 |
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November | 14 | 24 | 19 | 57 | 75 | 66.2 |
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December | 16.3 | 27 | 21.6 | 61 | 81 | 71 |
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Year | 12.5 | 21.5 | 16.95 | 54.4 | 70.7 | 62.5 |
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Precipitation amounts to 1165 millimeters (45.9 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 85 mm (3.3 in) in the driest month (September) to 113 mm (4.4 in) in the wettest one (April). Here is the average precipitation.
Montevideo - Average precipitationMonth | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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January | 96 | 3.8 | 6 |
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February | 103 | 4.1 | 7 |
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March | 111 | 4.4 | 6 |
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April | 113 | 4.4 | 7 |
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May | 86 | 3.4 | 6 |
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June | 91 | 3.6 | 7 |
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July | 93 | 3.7 | 6 |
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August | 87 | 3.4 | 7 |
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September | 85 | 3.4 | 7 |
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October | 102 | 4 | 7 |
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November | 94 | 3.7 | 7 |
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December | 101 | 4 | 7 |
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Year | 1165 | 45.8 | 80 |
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The
sea temperature ranges from 11 °C (52 °F) in August to 23 °C (73 °F) in January, February. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Montevideo - Sea temperatureMonth | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 23 | 73 | February | 23 | 74 | March | 22 | 72 | April | 19.5 | 67 | May | 16 | 61 | June | 13 | 56 | July | 11.5 | 52 | August | 11 | 52 | September | 12.5 | 54 | October | 15 | 59 | November | 18 | 65 | December | 21 | 69 | Year | 17.1 | 62.8 |
There are on average around 2480
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Montevideo - Sunshine hoursMonth | Average | Total |
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January | 9.5 | 295 | February | 8 | 230 | March | 7 | 225 | April | 6 | 180 | May | 5.5 | 165 | June | 4.5 | 130 | July | 4.5 | 140 | August | 5.5 | 165 | September | 6 | 180 | October | 7.5 | 240 | November | 8.5 | 250 | December | 9 | 285 | Year | 6.8 | 2480 |
Montevideo - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 23.2 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 18 °C (64.4 °F) and a maximum of 28.3 °C (82.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.8 °C (49.6 °F) in January 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F) in January 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 96 mm (3.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (73 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
February is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 22.7 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 17.9 °C (64.2 °F) and a maximum of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.5 °C (49.1 °F) in February 2019.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in February 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 103 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
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.
March is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.0 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 16.5 °C (61.7 °F) and a maximum of 25.6 °C (78.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (50.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.5 °C (45.5 °F) in March 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, it reached 34.2 °C (93.6 °F) in March 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 111 mm (4.4 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (72 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
April is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.8 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 13.5 °C (56.3 °F) and a maximum of 22.1 °C (71.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 3.6 °C (38.5 °F) in April 2012.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 34.8 °C (94.6 °F) in April 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 113 mm (4.4 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (67 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.4 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 10.4 °C (50.7 °F) and a maximum of 18.5 °C (65.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.1 °C (32.2 °F) in May 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 29.1 °C (84.4 °F) in May 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 86 mm (3.4 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
June is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.5 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 7.6 °C (45.7 °F) and a maximum of 15.4 °C (59.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33 °F). However, it dropped to -1.7 °C (28.9 °F) in June 2002.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in June 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 91 mm (3.6 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern 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 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (56 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
July, the coldest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.6 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 6.7 °C (44.1 °F) and a maximum of 14.5 °C (58.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32 °F). However, it dropped to -2.5 °C (27.5 °F) in July 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 28.4 °C (83.1 °F) in July 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 93 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
August is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.4 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 8 °C (46.4 °F) and a maximum of 16.7 °C (62.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1 °C (30.2 °F) in August 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (79 °F). However, it reached 32 °C (89.6 °F) in August 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 87 mm (3.4 in), distributed over 7 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 49% 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 11 °C (52 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
September is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.6 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 9.2 °C (48.6 °F) and a maximum of 18.1 °C (64.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.5 °C (32.9 °F) in September 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 32 °C (89.6 °F) in September 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (54 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
October is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.4 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 11.8 °C (53.2 °F) and a maximum of 20.9 °C (69.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in October 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in October 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 102 mm (4 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
November is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 14 °C (57.2 °F) and a maximum of 24 °C (75.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1.1 °C (34 °F) in November 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, it reached 35.4 °C (95.7 °F) in November 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 94 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
December is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.6 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 16.3 °C (61.3 °F) and a maximum of 27 °C (80.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (50 °F). However, it dropped to 7 °C (44.6 °F) in December 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F) in December 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 101 mm (4 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long. December 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21 °C (69.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.