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The best time to visit Madrid is May, late September, and October, when highs sit between 21°C and 27°C, the terraces are open, and the city is running at full capacity. Avoid July and August, when average highs reach 32°C to 33°C, heatwaves push past 38°C, and a large share of local businesses close while residents leave for the coast.
Madrid sits at 667m above sea level on the Meseta Central, roughly 300km from the nearest coast in every direction. That combination produces a hot-summer Mediterranean climate with strong continental behaviour: dry summers hotter than the coast, winters colder than the coast, and a daily temperature swing of 12°C to 14°C for most of the year. The old local saying, nueve meses de invierno y tres de infierno, meaning nine months of winter and three of hell, overstates it, but it captures the shape of the year.
This guide gives you exact monthly figures for temperature, rainfall, rainy days, humidity, and sunshine, plus what each month feels like on the ground, what to pack, and the pollen and air quality patterns most weather guides leave out.
Madrid Weather at a Glance
| Climate type | Hot-summer Mediterranean with continental influence (Köppen Csa) |
| Elevation | 667m, the highest capital city in Europe by mean elevation |
| Hottest month | July, 33°C / 91°F average high |
| Coldest month | January, 10°C / 50°F high and 3°C / 37°F low |
| Wettest month | October, 62mm across about 7 rainy days |
| Driest months | July and August, 12mm each |
| Annual rainfall | About 415mm across roughly 57 rainy days |
| Annual sunshine | About 2,760 hours |
| Best months to visit | May, late September, October |
| Worst month for pollen | May, for grass and olive pollen |
| Snowfall | Rare. Roughly two to four days a year with any snow, most of it not settling |
Madrid Monthly Weather Data
The table below covers average daily highs and lows, total monthly rainfall, days with measurable rain, average relative humidity, and monthly sunshine hours. Figures come from the Retiro observatory in central Madrid, which reads 1°C to 2°C warmer at night than the Barajas airport station because of the urban heat island.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rainy days | Humidity | Sun hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10°C / 50°F | 3°C / 37°F | 33mm | 5 | 71% | 148 |
| February | 13°C / 55°F | 4°C / 39°F | 34mm | 5 | 65% | 156 |
| March | 17°C / 63°F | 6°C / 43°F | 25mm | 4 | 55% | 214 |
| April | 19°C / 66°F | 8°C / 46°F | 47mm | 7 | 53% | 226 |
| May | 23°C / 73°F | 12°C / 54°F | 46mm | 7 | 51% | 266 |
| June | 29°C / 84°F | 17°C / 63°F | 22mm | 3 | 44% | 315 |
| July | 33°C / 91°F | 21°C / 70°F | 12mm | 1 | 37% | 359 |
| August | 32°C / 90°F | 20°C / 68°F | 12mm | 2 | 40% | 335 |
| September | 27°C / 81°F | 17°C / 63°F | 24mm | 3 | 51% | 260 |
| October | 21°C / 70°F | 12°C / 54°F | 62mm | 7 | 63% | 199 |
| November | 14°C / 57°F | 7°C / 45°F | 54mm | 7 | 70% | 152 |
| December | 11°C / 52°F | 4°C / 39°F | 45mm | 6 | 74% | 132 |
Madrid Weather Month by Month
Madrid Weather in January
January is the coldest month, with highs of 10°C (50°F), lows of 3°C (37°F), and frequent overnight frost. Rainfall is 33mm across about five days and sunshine bottoms out at 148 hours, the lowest of the year. The city’s continental position means clear still nights drop below freezing while the same afternoon can feel mild in direct sun. Snow is possible but uncommon, and heavy accumulation is a once-in-a-decade event. The first week is busy with the Three Kings holiday on 6 January, after which tourism drops to its annual low and hotel rates follow. The winter sales, rebajas, start in early January and run through February.
What to wear: proper winter coat, scarf, and layers. Interiors are heated, so you will be taking the coat off constantly.
Madrid Weather in February
February brings highs of 13°C (55°F) and lows of 4°C (39°F) with 34mm of rain and 156 hours of sunshine. Conditions are similar to January but the light improves noticeably and the afternoons stretch. This is the cheapest month to visit alongside January, and museum queues are at their shortest. Cypress pollen peaks in February and catches allergy sufferers by surprise because nothing is visibly in bloom yet. Carnival falls in February or early March depending on the year and brings street parades in Lavapiés and the Centro district.
What to wear: warm coat, layers, sunglasses for the low winter sun.
Madrid Weather in March
March averages 17°C (63°F) with lows of 6°C (43°F), 25mm of rain, and sunshine jumping to 214 hours. The month is volatile: an 8°C day followed by a 22°C day is normal, and the daily swing between dawn and mid-afternoon reaches 12°C. Terraces reopen properly in the second half of the month. Plane tree pollen begins in late March and Madrid has one of the highest concentrations of plane trees of any European city, so allergy sufferers feel it immediately. Semana Santa sometimes falls in late March, which lifts prices and closes some businesses on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
What to wear: layers, light jacket, something warmer for evenings that still drop to 6°C.
Madrid Weather in April
April is the second-wettest month at 47mm across seven days, with highs of 19°C (66°F) and lows of 8°C (46°F). The rain arrives as short showers rather than all-day systems, and 226 hours of sunshine means most days still deliver useful outdoor time. Retiro park is at its best in April, with the rose garden and the almond blossom at Quinta de los Molinos in the first half of the month. Semana Santa usually falls here, bringing processions, higher hotel rates, and reduced opening hours around the Easter weekend. Pollen counts climb sharply.
What to wear: light layers plus a compact umbrella. April is the month you actually need one.
Madrid Weather in May
May is the strongest month of the year. Highs of 23°C (73°F), lows of 12°C (54°F), 266 hours of sunshine, and 46mm of rain spread across seven short-shower days. You can sightsee from morning to night without heat breaks, and the evenings are warm enough for outdoor dinner at 10pm. San Isidro, the city’s main festival, runs around 15 May with free concerts, street parties in La Latina, and the peak of the bullfighting season at Las Ventas. Book accommodation well ahead for that week. The one drawback is pollen: grass and olive counts peak in May and Madrid regularly records some of the highest grass pollen readings in Spain.
What to wear: summer clothes for the day, one light layer for evenings.
Madrid Weather in June
June brings the heat, with average highs jumping 6°C from May to 29°C (84°F) and lows of 17°C (63°F). Rain drops to 22 mm, and sunshine reaches 315 hours. The first two weeks are usually comfortable; the last ten days often bring the first heatwave of the season, with days above 38°C. Humidity falls to 44%, so shade genuinely works and evenings cool off well thanks to the altitude. MADO, Madrid’s Pride celebration, takes over Chueca in late June or early July and is one of the largest in the world, filling the city and pushing hotel rates to summer peak levels.
What to wear: light cotton or linen, hat, refillable bottle. Madrid has public drinking fountains throughout the center.
PRO TIP: From June to September, restructure the day around the heat rather than fighting it. Outdoor sightseeing from 9am to 1pm, indoors between 2pm and 6pm, back out from 7pm onward. The Prado, Reina SofÃa, and Thyssen all have free entry windows in the late afternoon, which lines up with the hours you want to be inside anyway. The things to do in Madrid guide lists current hours and ticket prices.
Madrid Weather in July
July is the hottest and sunniest month, averaging 33°C (91°F) with 359 hours of sunshine and just 12mm of rain across a single rainy day. Afternoon peaks of 36°C to 39°C are routine during heatwave spells. Lows of 21°C (70°F) mean the city records noches tropicales, nights that stay above 20°C, and these have become more frequent over the last two decades. Humidity is at its annual low of 37%, so the heat is dry, and shade drops the perceived temperature substantially. Air conditioning is standard in hotels but not in every older apartment rental, so confirm before booking.
What to wear: lightest clothing you own, hat, SPF 50, and shoes you can walk in on hot pavement.
Madrid Weather in August
August averages 32°C (90°F) with 12mm of rain and 335 hours of sunshine, marginally cooler than July but with the same heatwave risk. The bigger factor isn’t the weather: many Madrid residents leave for the coast, and many family-run restaurants, bars, and shops close for two to four weeks. The center stays open for tourists, but the neighborhood life that makes Madrid worth visiting goes quiet. By contrast, hotel rates in August are among the lowest of the year, the opposite of most European capitals. The Fiestas de San Cayetano, San Lorenzo, and La Paloma fill La Latina and Lavapiés in the first half of the month.
What to wear: same as July. Check restaurant opening dates before planning meals around specific places.
Madrid Weather in September
September splits cleanly. The first ten days can still deliver 32°C or more, and then the month drops away to a monthly average high of 27°C (81°F) with lows of 17°C (63°F). Rain is 24mm and sunshine 260 hours. The city refills after the August exodus, restaurants reopen, and the cultural season restarts, which makes late September one of the best value windows of the year: summer temperatures without summer prices or summer closures. Terraces run to the end of the month and often into October.
What to wear: summer clothes with a light layer for the second half of the month.
Madrid Weather in October
October is the wettest month of the year at 62mm across about seven days, which surprises visitors expecting dry Spain. Highs of 21°C (70°F) and lows of 12°C (54°F) make it comfortable for walking, and 199 hours of sunshine still means most days are bright. The rain usually comes in one or two multi-day Atlantic systems rather than being spread evenly, so a week in October is either dry or noticeably wet. Autumn color in Retiro and along Paseo del Prado peaks in the last week. Clocks go back on the last Sunday of the month and sunset shifts to around 6.30 pm.
What to wear: layers, light jacket, umbrella or a packable rain shell.
Madrid Weather in November
November cools sharply to highs of 14°C (57°F) and lows of 7°C (45°F), with 54mm of rain across seven days and only 152 hours of sunshine. Grey overcast days become common for the first time in the year, and morning fog forms in the river valley and the outskirts. This is the low season, with the cheapest flights and the emptiest museums, and the Christmas lights switch on in the last week of the month. Winter air quality episodes begin around now, when still conditions trap traffic emissions under a visible haze locals call la boina, the beret.
What to wear: warm jacket, layers, closed shoes. Nights approach freezing by month end.
Madrid Weather in December
December brings highs of 11°C (52°F), lows of 4°C (39°F), 45mm of rain, and the lowest sunshine of the year at 132 hours. Humidity peaks at 74% and cold damp mornings are the norm. The Christmas period transforms the center: lights along Gran VÃa, the market in Plaza Mayor, and heavy crowds on Calle Preciados from mid-December. Hotel rates climb from around 20 December through 6 January, with New Year’s Eve at Puerta del Sol the single most expensive night of the year, so decide where to stay in Madrid before rates move. Frost is frequent, but settling snow is not.
What to wear: winter coat, gloves for evenings outdoors, layers for heated interiors.
Four Things About Madrid Weather That Catch Visitors Out
The Daily Temperature Swing
At 667m with dry air and no coastal moderation, Madrid loses heat fast after dark. The gap between the daily low and the daily high averages 11°C to 13°C year-round, and in spring and autumn it regularly exceeds 15°C. A 23°C May afternoon becomes a 12°C evening on a terrace. Packing for the daytime average alone is the most common mistake visitors make here.
Heatwaves and Tropical Nights
AEMET declares a heatwave when temperatures exceed the 95th percentile for the location over at least three consecutive days. Madrid typically records two to four such spells between mid-June and early September, with peaks of 38°C to 40°C. The number of nights staying above 20°C has risen substantially in recent decades, which matters because it removes the overnight recovery that used to make Madrid summers manageable without air conditioning.
Autumn Rain Arrives in Blocks
Madrid’s 415mm of annual rainfall is low, but it is badly distributed. October and November together deliver 116mm, more than a quarter of the year, usually inside a handful of Atlantic frontal systems. Autumn also brings the risk of a DANA, an isolated upper-level low that can drop a month of rain in a day. These are more destructive on the Mediterranean coast than inland, but they do reach Madrid and cause localised flooding and transport disruption.
Snow Is Rare but Not Impossible
Madrid averages a handful of days a year with snow falling and far fewer with snow settling. The exception was Storm Filomena in January 2021, which buried the city under roughly 50cm, the heaviest snowfall since 1971, closed the airport for days, and shut the Metro’s above-ground sections. Plan for cold rather than snow, but do not assume snow is impossible in January.
Madrid Pollen Calendar
Madrid is one of the harder European capitals for allergy sufferers. Roughly one in five residents of the Comunidad de Madrid has some form of pollen allergy, driven by the city’s street trees and the surrounding grassland and olive groves. If you react to pollen, the timing below matters as much as the temperature.
| Pollen type | Season | Peak | Severity in Madrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cypress and juniper | January to March | February | Moderate, often mistaken for a winter cold |
| Plane tree | Late March to April | Early April | High and very short, around three intense weeks |
| Grasses | April to July | May to early June | Highest of all, the main cause of hay fever here |
| Olive | May to June | Mid-May | High, overlapping with the grass peak |
| Chenopods and plantain | May to September | June | Moderate, extends the season into summer |
The practical takeaway is that May, the best month for temperature and daylight, is the worst month for pollen. If that applies to you, late September and October give you similar comfort with almost no pollen.
Find The Perfect Accommodation
Air Quality in Madrid
Madrid’s air quality is moderate by European standards and far better than the city’s reputation from a decade ago, but it has two distinct problem seasons. In winter, cold still high-pressure conditions trap traffic-related nitrogen dioxide under a temperature inversion, producing the visible brown haze known locally as la boina. In summer, strong sunshine drives ground-level ozone formation, which peaks in the afternoon and affects the outskirts more than the centre.
The city operates a low-emission zone, Zona de Bajas Emisiones Madrid ZBE, covering the whole municipality with tighter restrictions inside the M-30 ring and the central Distrito Centro. During pollution episodes, the council activates staged protocols that restrict parking and traffic. If you are driving a rental car, check the environmental sticker requirements before entering, because fines are automatic and camera-enforced.
PRO TIP: Do not rent a car for a Madrid city stay. The low emission zone, camera enforcement, and parking scarcity make it a liability, and the Metro covers the entire centre. Pick a base from the Madrid neighborhoods guide instead, and rent from an airport or an out-of-zone location only for day trips to Toledo, Segovia, or Sierra de Guadarrama. The Madrid travel tips and FAQ guide covers Metro tickets, airport transfers, and driving rules in detail.
Best Time to Visit Madrid
The best overall window is May, followed by late September and October. Below is how the full calendar ranks once prices, closures, and crowds are weighed alongside the weather. For a fuller breakdown by price, crowds, and events, see the best time to visit Madrid guide.
| Window | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| May | Best overall | 23°C days, long evenings, San Isidro, everything open. Worst pollen of the year |
| Mid-Sep to mid-Oct | Best value | 21°C to 27°C, city back from holidays, moderate prices, no pollen |
| April | Very good | Parks at their peak, but the wettest spring month and Easter pricing |
| Late Oct to Nov | Good for museums | Cheapest flights, shortest queues, grey and wet days likely |
| March | Variable | Big daily swings and unpredictable, but terraces reopen and prices are low |
| December | Mixed | Christmas atmosphere against cold, damp, and peak holiday pricing |
| January, February | Cheapest | Cold and grey, but the lowest rates and the emptiest Prado of the year |
| August | Avoid unless budget-led | 32°C plus widespread local closures, though hotels are cheap |
| July | Avoid | 33°C average highs, heatwave risk, tropical nights, peak festival crowds |
What to Pack for Madrid by Season
Winter Packing (December to February)
- Warm coat rated for near-freezing mornings
- Layers you can strip off in heated museums and Metro carriages
- Scarf and gloves for December and January evenings
- Comfortable closed shoes for cobbled streets in the centre
- Sunglasses for the low, bright winter sun
Spring and Autumn Packing (March to May, September to November)
- Layering system for a 15°C daily swing
- Light jacket plus a packable rain shell for April, October, and November
- Compact umbrella
- Antihistamines if you are pollen sensitive and travelling April to June
- Walking shoes, since spring and autumn are the seasons you will walk the most
Summer Packing (June to August)
- Loose light cotton or linen
- Wide-brimmed hat and SPF 50
- Refillable bottle for the public fountains in the centre
- One light layer for evenings, which still cool to 20°C
- Sandals plus one pair of proper walking shoes for hot pavement
How Madrid Weather Compares to Other Spanish Cities
Madrid is the outlier among Spain’s major cities because it is the only one that is both inland and at altitude. The table compares peak summer and peak winter conditions across the cities most often combined with Madrid on an Iberian itinerary.
| City | July high | January high | January low | Annual rain | Annual sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid | 33°C / 91°F | 10°C / 50°F | 3°C / 37°F | 415mm | ~2,760h |
| Barcelona | 29°C / 84°F | 14°C / 57°F | 6°C / 43°F | ~600mm | ~2,530h |
| Seville | 36°C / 97°F | 16°C / 61°F | 6°C / 43°F | ~540mm | ~2,900h |
| Valencia | 30°C / 86°F | 16°C / 61°F | 7°C / 45°F | ~450mm | ~2,700h |
| Lisbon | 28°C / 82°F | 15°C / 59°F | 8°C / 46°F | ~725mm | ~2,800h |
Two patterns matter for planning. In winter, Madrid runs 4°C to 6°C colder by day than any coastal Spanish city, so a January trip pairing Madrid with Seville or Valencia needs two different sets of clothing. In summer, Madrid is hotter than the coast but drier, and only Seville and the interior of Andalusia are worse. Lisbon and Barcelona stay meaningfully more comfortable in July and August.
Madrid Weather Records and Extremes
| Highest temperature | 40.7°C (105°F) at Madrid Retiro, tied on 28 June 2019, 14 August 2021, and 14 July 2022 |
| Highest at Barajas airport | Above 42°C during the August 2021 heatwave, the airport station reading consistently hotter than the city centre by day |
| Lowest temperature | -10.1°C (14°F) on 16 January 1945 |
| Heaviest snowfall | Storm Filomena, January 2021, roughly 50cm, the heaviest since 1971 |
| Sunniest month | July, averaging 359 hours, close to 11.5 hours of sunshine per day |
| Records period | Retiro observatory has continuous temperature and rainfall records back to 1920 |
Madrid Weather FAQs
What is the best month to visit Madrid?
May. Highs of 23°C, 266 hours of sunshine, long warm evenings, and the San Isidro festival around 15 May. October is a close second and is better if you are sensitive to pollen, since May carries the highest grass and olive counts of the year.
How hot does Madrid get in summer?
July averages 33°C (91°F) and August 32°C (90°F), with heatwave peaks of 38°C to 40°C. The all-time record at the central Retiro observatory is 40.7°C, reached three times since 2019. Humidity of 37% to 40% makes the heat more bearable than equivalent temperatures on the coast.
Does it snow in Madrid?
Rarely. Madrid sees snow falling on a handful of days per year, mostly in January and February, and settling snow far less often. The exception was Storm Filomena in January 2021, which left about 50cm and paralysed the city for several days.
What is the rainiest month in Madrid?
October, at 62mm across about seven days, followed by November at 54mm. Total annual rainfall is only around 415mm, which is low, but more than a quarter of it falls in those two months.
Is Madrid cold in winter?
Colder than most visitors expect from Spain. January highs are 10°C with lows of 3°C and regular overnight frost, roughly 5°C colder by day than Barcelona or Seville. The altitude of 667m and the distance from the sea are the reasons.
Is August a bad time to visit Madrid?
It depends on your priorities. The heat is severe and many local restaurants and shops close while residents are away, so the city loses much of its neighbourhood life. On the other hand, hotel rates are among the lowest of the year, museums are less crowded than in spring, and the summer festival programme continues.
Do I need air conditioning in Madrid in summer?
Yes, from mid-June to early September. Nights staying above 20°C are now common in July and August, which removes the overnight cooling that older buildings rely on. Hotels almost always have it; older apartment rentals sometimes do not, so confirm before booking.
How many sunny days does Madrid get?
About 2,760 hours of sunshine a year, ranging from 132 hours in December to 359 hours in July. That puts Madrid among the sunniest capitals in Europe, though Lisbon and Athens both edge slightly ahead.
When is pollen worst in Madrid?
May, when grass and olive pollen peak together. Plane tree pollen produces a shorter, sharper spike in early April, and cypress affects sensitive people as early as February. September and October are effectively pollen-free.
What should I pack for Madrid in spring?
Layers built around a daily swing of 12°C to 15°C. A 22°C March afternoon becomes a 6°C night. Add a compact umbrella for April, which, at 47 mm, is the wettest month of the spring.
Data Sources and Methodology
Temperature, rainfall, humidity, and sunshine figures are AEMET climate normals measured at the Madrid Retiro observatory, climate index 3195, at 667m elevation in central Madrid, with records running from 1920. Retiro is the reference station for the city and reads slightly warmer overnight and cooler by day than the Barajas airport station, so figures quoted elsewhere may differ by 1°C to 2°C. Pollen seasons are based on the Comunidad de Madrid palynological network. Individual years deviate substantially, particularly for rainfall and heatwave frequency, so treat these figures as planning baselines and check the live forecast on the Madrid weather and travel guide before you go.
