Málaga has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csa) with mild, relatively wet winters and hot, dry summers. Its position on the Costa del Sol, sheltered by the Montes de Málaga mountains and facing the Alboran Sea, gives it some of the warmest winters in mainland Europe. The city averages 2,900 hours of sunshine per year and just 470mm of annual rainfall.
Málaga Weather by Month: Temperature and Rainfall Data
Málaga’s climate is defined by its summer drought (June through September with under 10mm/month) and mild winter temperatures. The sea moderates extremes, keeping winter lows above 7°C (45°F) and summer highs around 31°C (88°F). The city sees measurable rain on roughly 40 to 45 days per year.
Monthly Weather Breakdown for Málaga
| Month | Avg High (°C/°F) | Avg Low (°C/°F) | Rainfall (mm) | Humidity (%) | Sun (hours/day) | Sea Temp (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17 / 63 | 7 / 45 | 69 | 69 | 6 | 15 |
| February | 18 / 64 | 8 / 46 | 60 | 66 | 6 | 15 |
| March | 20 / 68 | 10 / 50 | 52 | 63 | 7 | 15 |
| April | 22 / 72 | 12 / 54 | 44 | 60 | 8 | 16 |
| May | 25 / 77 | 15 / 59 | 24 | 58 | 10 | 18 |
| June | 29 / 84 | 19 / 66 | 8 | 56 | 11 | 20 |
| July | 31 / 88 | 22 / 72 | 1 | 57 | 12 | 23 |
| August | 32 / 90 | 22 / 72 | 3 | 60 | 11 | 24 |
| September | 29 / 84 | 19 / 66 | 16 | 64 | 9 | 23 |
| October | 25 / 77 | 15 / 59 | 57 | 69 | 7 | 20 |
| November | 20 / 68 | 11 / 52 | 96 | 72 | 6 | 18 |
| December | 18 / 64 | 9 / 48 | 94 | 72 | 5 | 16 |
Málaga Rainfall Patterns
Málaga receives just 470mm of rain annually, making it one of Spain’s driest cities. The rain is heavily concentrated from October through April. November and December are the wettest months at 96mm and 94mm respectively. Summer is virtually rainless: July averages 1mm and August 3mm, with many years recording zero rainfall in July. Rain typically arrives as short, intense showers rather than all-day drizzle. Flash flooding in the Guadalmedina riverbed can occur during autumn storms (gota fría), though modern channeling through the city center has reduced the flood risk.
Sea Temperature and Beach Season in Málaga
The Alboran Sea off Málaga warms from 15°C (59°F) in January through March to a peak of 24°C (75°F) in August. Swimming is comfortable from June through September (20°C to 24°C). The local beach season runs June through September. Water temperatures stay above 20°C (68°F) through October. Málaga’s 16 beaches span 15km of coastline from La Malagueta (closest to the center) to Guadalmar in the west.
