Monthly weather forecast and climate
Madrid, Spain

Madrid has a Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csa) with warm, dry summers and cold, humid winters. Madrid, the capital of Spain, lies on the Manzanares River in Central Spain, in the Tagus River catchment, with the protective Guadarrama mountain range to its north. The Mediterranean Sea influences the climate of the region, but the climate also borders on the cold semi-arid type (Köppen BSk) on the eastern side of the city.

Madrid's average elevation is 667 meters above sea level, with a significant difference in altitude between the city center at 543 meters, and the highest parts at 846 meters, encompassing it. The topography consists of mountains, rolling hills, forests, rivers, and lakes, among other geographical features. The surrounding mountains provide a barrier to cold winds from the north of the continent.

Summers are hot in Madrid due to its inland location, and the average high temperature reaches up to 32.2°C (90°F) at the peak of July. Many days go past 35°C (95°F), and a few are above 37.8°C (100°F), but most record at least a high of 29.4°C (84.9°F). Winters are cold and damp as the average low temperature drops to 2.8°C (37°F) during the peak winter month of January. The nights are frosty at the peak of the cold season, and some may even drop to freezing temperatures. Spring and autumn are pleasant with moderate sunshine and rain. Snowfall is sporadic during the winter, mostly for a few days in January.

The average humidity is less at 57%, and the annual precipitation is to the tune of 431.8mm (17") with rainy autumns and to a degree - winters. The annual sunshine in Madrid is ample 2730 hours with the longest days in June and the shortest in December.

The highest recorded temperature in Madrid is 42.2°C (108°F), set on 24 July 1995, while the lowest temperature on record is -15.3°C (4.5°F), set on 16 January 1945.

The best times to visit Madrid are from March to May during the spring and from September to November during the autumn. The spring is a little cold and damp with temperatures in the range of 6.1°C (43°F) to 22.8°C (73°F) but the cold decreases by mid-April. The autumn is pleasant with temperatures in the 6.1°C (43°F) to 26.7°C (80.1°F) with the rainiest month in October. June is hot, and the peak of summer is scorching, especially in July and August on the eastern side of Madrid.

Winter is cold, damp and generally the worst time to visit Madrid. A cold wave may occasionally drop the low temperatures below the freezing mark during December to February. Snowfall is rare during the winter, while frost is regular during the cold nights. Winter is also wet than the rest of the year except the autumn. The days are short in December, and the dark skies render the sunshine below a daily 5 hours during the winter.

Madrid has natural weather hazards in the form of forest fires, thunderstorms, floods, and earthquakes. Forest fires are frequent during the blazing summer heat in the Mediterranean region, including Madrid. Severe thunderstorms with lightning and rain are possible mostly during the spring. Madrid experiences many earthquakes, but the majority of them are of low intensity.

January is usually the coldest month of the year in Madrid with the winter at its peak during the New Year week. The mercury column occasionally drops below freezing. Weather in January »

February is a cold winter month in Madrid with the average temperatures in the 3.3°C (37.9°F) to 11.7°C (53.1°F) zone. The days mostly touch 10°C (50°F). Weather in February »

The average temperatures are in the 6.1°C (43°F) to 15.6°C (60.1°F) range, as spring rarely sees freezing temperatures. The sunshine improves to 7 hours a day. Weather in March »

April is the peak of the spring season in Madrid with beautiful and sunny days; the average temperatures range between 8.3°C (46.9°F) to 18.9°C (66°F). Weather in April »

May is sunny and beautiful in Madrid as the average temperatures are in the warm 11.7°C (53.1°F) to 22.8°C (73°F) zone. Almost every day touches 21.1°C (70°F). Weather in May »

June begins the hot and dry summer season in Madrid with average temperatures ranging in the 17.2°C (63°F) to 29.4°C (84.9°F). The longest days of the year are approximately 15 hours. Weather in June »

July is the hottest, driest and sunniest month of the year in Madrid with a brilliant 359 hours of sunshine. The peak of summer registers temperatures in the 19.4°C (66.9°F) to 32.2°C (90°F) average range. Weather in July »

August is a hot and dry summer month in Madrid, with the average high temperatures of 31.7°C (89.1°F). The days are sunny and bright, with low humidity and negligible rainfall. Weather in August »

September is the beginning of the mild autumn season in Madrid as the average temperatures drop to the comfortable range of 15.6°C (60.1°F) to 26.7°C (80.1°F). Weather in September »

October is the wettest month in Madrid with 83.8mm (3.3") of rain. The lovely temperate weather remains in the average range of 11.1°C (52°F) to 19.4°C (66.9°F) with warm days and cold nights. Weather in October »

The average temperatures are in the cold to a mild range of 5.6°C (42.1°F) to 13.3°C (55.9°F). Most of the days touch at least 10°C (50°F), while the nights may drop below 1.7°C (35.1°F). Weather in November »

December is the start of the cold winter season in Madrid. The average temperature is in the range of a chilly 3.3°C (37.9°F) to 10°C (50°F) and a few nights touch the freezing mark. Weather in December »

What is the month with the least sunshine in Madrid?