The weather in Buenos Aires has its particularities. Its geographical location and layout, as well as the characteristics of its territory, contribute to the fact that the climate in the city is not the same throughout the year.
For someone who visits Buenos Aires in the winter months, it is unthinkable that that same city could become a true heat island during the summer, and vice versa.
Buenos Aires, like Argentina as a whole, offers a variety of climates so that no foreigner feels excluded from our territory. Regardless of which climatic conditions are most pleasant for you, in Buenos Aires you are sure to find them.
But what are the coldest months? And the summer? Is the humidity high or low? How much does it rain in Buenos Aires? You will find all this information in one place: yes, precisely here, in this article about the weather and climate of Buenos Aires.
If you are looking for that last answer to decide in favor of your trip, whether you are a digital nomad or an expat who has Buenos Aires as his favorite destination, in this article we will help you make a final decision.
Main Characteristics of the Climate in Buenos Aires
The current climate of Buenos Aires is humid temperate, typical of the pampas region, heavily influenced by its proximity to the Río de la Plata.
It does not experience significant daily temperature variations, although there are marked differences between the seasons, with warm summers and cool winters. Precipitation is more frequent during the summer months.
Higher Temperatures and Heat Waves
Over the past 60 years, the average annual temperature and precipitation have increased significantly. Cold days are becoming less cold, and high temperatures and heat waves are more frequent and prolonged.
Urban Heat Island (UHI)
High temperatures and heat waves are exacerbated by the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, a phenomenon occurring in most large cities worldwide. This happens because cities tend to be warmer than their surrounding suburban areas, especially during calm, clear nights.
The concentration of buildings, paved streets, use of air conditioning, transportation, and reduced wind speed in urban environments all contribute to this effect.
The southern part of the city is where the most intense heat islands are concentrated, including port, airport, railway areas, highways, avenues, and open areas with aging or water-deficient vegetation. The increasing average temperature, particularly in summer, can accentuate this phenomenon further.
More Rain
In recent decades, historical records show a sustained increase in annual precipitation volume. On average, from 1960 to the present, the increase has been 47 mm per decade.
Location of Buenos Aires in Argentina
Several factors influence Buenos Aires’ climate. The semi-permanent South Atlantic high-pressure system affects the city’s climate year-round, bringing humid northeast winds that lead to precipitation when cold fronts advance during winter or cyclogenesis occurs in autumn and winter.
High temperatures and strong solar radiation in summer create a thermal low-pressure system over northwest Argentina, causing an east wind gradient over the pampas, making summer the wettest season.
In contrast, during winter, this low-pressure system weakens, and the predominant southern winds make winter the driest season due to the reduced frequency of eastern winds.
Buenos Aires experiences changing weather due to the advance of cold, dry air masses from the south and warm, humid tropical air masses from the north. The city’s coastal location results in a strong maritime influence, moderating extreme temperatures.
Argentina is in the southern hemisphere, so its seasons are opposite to those in the northern hemisphere. The austral summer in Buenos Aires is hot and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 19°C to 30°C. The austral winter is mild and humid, with temperatures between 7°C and 16°C. The city’s climate is temperate pampas.
Buenos Aires is influenced by two types of zonal winds: the pampero and the sudestada. The pampero comes from the southwest and usually starts with a short storm that quickly gives way to much colder, drier air, most intense in summer.
The sudestada occurs mainly between April and October, consisting of a strong, cool, very humid southeast wind that lasts several days and is often accompanied by varying intensity rainfall. Continuous winds can raise the Río de la Plata’s waters, sometimes causing floods in low-lying areas like La Boca.
The Best Time to Visit Buenos Aires
If You Like the Cold
The ideal time to visit Buenos Aires is between mid-May and August. During these months, Buenos Aires has a cold climate with low precipitation.
Additionally, the winter break in July-August allows many Argentine families to visit provinces with guaranteed snowy landscapes, such as Mendoza and Bariloche. During this period, high temperatures usually stay below 20 degrees Celsius, with lows in the single digits.
If You Like the Summer
The ideal time to visit Buenos Aires is between November and March. This period marks the end of one year and the beginning of another, coinciding with the summer holidays.
Schools close in December, and many families travel to the country’s main resorts on the Atlantic coast. Summer temperatures typically have high minimums and maximums, often leading to heat waves or “heat islands.”
This phenomenon, common in Buenos Aires, involves several consecutive days of high temperatures. It’s advisable to consider this when planning your stay, as prolonged heat waves can lead to power outages in the city.
If You Prefer a Moderate Climate
Both autumn and spring offer pleasant temperatures and weather conditions in Buenos Aires. These transitional seasons separate winter from summer and vice versa, providing tolerable temperatures and humidity levels.
However, the specific climate conditions of each year can make autumn and spring more or less intense in terms of temperature. For instance, the autumn of 2023 was warmer than the same period in 2024, indicating that the season can either extend the summer or be a prelude to winter.
General Summary of Buenos Aires Climate
Average Temperatures (2003-2023)
Buenos Aires enjoys a mild and temperate climate, with average temperatures fluctuating from 14.7°C (58.5°F) in May to 25.3°C (77.5°F) in January.
The city experiences its hottest months during January and February, where the average maximum temperatures can soar up to 30.6°C (87.1°F). Conversely, the coolest months are June and July, with average minimum temperatures dropping to around 8.3°C (46.9°F).
These temperature variations offer a comfortable climate year-round, making Buenos Aires a pleasant destination for tourists and residents alike.
| Month | Avg Temp (°C) | Avg Temp (°F) | Avg Min Temp (°C) | Avg Min Temp (°F) | Avg Max Temp (°C) | Avg Max Temp (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.3 | 77.5 | 20.5 | 68.9 | 30.6 | 87.1 |
| February | 24.1 | 75.3 | 19.6 | 67.2 | 29.3 | 84.7 |
| March | 22.0 | 71.5 | 17.6 | 63.8 | 27.0 | 80.6 |
| April | 18.5 | 65.3 | 14.3 | 57.7 | 23.7 | 74.6 |
| May | 14.7 | 58.5 | 10.9 | 51.6 | 19.4 | 66.9 |
| June | 12.0 | 53.6 | 8.4 | 47.0 | 16.7 | 62.0 |
| July | 11.4 | 52.6 | 8.0 | 46.4 | 15.9 | 60.7 |
| August | 12.9 | 55.3 | 8.8 | 47.8 | 17.9 | 64.1 |
| September | 15.1 | 59.2 | 10.8 | 51.5 | 19.4 | 66.9 |
| October | 17.8 | 64.0 | 13.2 | 55.8 | 22.5 | 72.5 |
| November | 20.9 | 69.6 | 16.0 | 60.8 | 25.7 | 78.3 |
| December | 23.4 | 74.1 | 18.2 | 64.8 | 28.6 | 83.5 |
Precipitation, Humidity, and Wind (2003-2023)
Rainfall in Buenos Aires is moderate and fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, although February tends to be the wettest month with an average of 146.7 mm of rain over 10 days.
The city’s humidity levels vary, with lower humidity around 64% in January, rising to about 77% in June. Winds in Buenos Aires are generally mild, averaging between 26 and 31 knots (48-58 km/h), which adds a refreshing breeze, especially in the hotter months.
| Month | Avg Precipitation (mm) | Avg Rainy Days | Avg Humidity (%) | Avg Wind Speed (Knots) | Avg Wind Speed (km/h) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 127.0 | 10 | 64 | 31 | 58 |
| February | 146.7 | 10 | 68 | 31 | 57 |
| March | 109.4 | 8 | 70 | 27 | 50 |
| April | 120.4 | 9 | 74 | 26 | 48 |
| May | 81.3 | 7 | 77 | 24 | 44 |
| June | 66.4 | 6 | 78 | 23 | 43 |
| July | 68.0 | 6 | 77 | 22 | 41 |
| August | 78.1 | 7 | 76 | 22 | 41 |
| September | 78.0 | 7 | 73 | 23 | 43 |
| October | 105.2 | 9 | 70 | 25 | 46 |
| November | 114.5 | 9 | 68 | 27 | 50 |
| December | 101.4 | 8 | 65 | 28 | 52 |
Sunshine Hours
The amount of sunshine Buenos Aires receives changes with the seasons. In summer (December to February), the city enjoys long daylight hours, with the sun rising as early as 5:43 AM in January and setting around 8:09 PM.
Winter months (June to August) see shorter days, with the sun rising around 7:45 AM and setting by 5:58 PM. This variation in daylight hours affects the activities and lifestyle of residents and visitors, with longer days being ideal for exploring the city’s numerous outdoor attractions.
| Day | Month | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | January | 05:43:00 | 20:09:00 |
| 31 | January | 06:12:00 | 20:01:00 |
| 1 | February | 06:13:00 | 20:00:00 |
| 28 | February | 06:40:00 | 19:30:00 |
| 1 | March | 06:41:00 | 19:29:00 |
| 31 | March | 07:06:00 | 18:47:00 |
| 1 | April | 07:06:00 | 18:47:00 |
| 30 | April | 07:28:00 | 18:11:00 |
| 1 | May | 07:29:00 | 18:10:00 |
| 31 | May | 07:51:00 | 17:50:00 |
| 1 | June | 07:51:00 | 17:50:00 |
| 30 | June | 08:01:00 | 17:53:00 |
| 1 | July | 08:01:00 | 17:53:00 |
| 31 | July | 07:47:00 | 18:12:00 |
| 1 | August | 07:46:00 | 18:12:00 |
| 31 | August | 07:13:00 | 18:34:00 |
| 1 | September | 07:11:00 | 18:35:00 |
| 30 | September | 06:30:00 | 18:56:00 |
| 1 | October | 06:29:00 | 18:56:00 |
| 31 | October | 05:52:00 | 19:22:00 |
| 1 | November | 05:51:00 | 19:23:00 |
| 30 | November | 05:33:00 | 19:50:00 |
| 1 | December | 05:33:00 | 19:51:00 |
| 31 | December | 05:43:00 | 20:09:00 |
Month-by-Month Analysis of Buenos Aires Climate
January
January is one of the hottest months in Buenos Aires, with average temperatures around 25.3°C (77.5°F) and maximum temperatures reaching 30.6°C (87.1°F). The city experiences moderate humidity at 64% and receives about 127 mm of rainfall over 10 days.
The long days with early sunrises and late sunsets make it an excellent month for outdoor activities and enjoying the beaches.
February
February remains warm with average temperatures at 24.1°C (75.3°F). It is the wettest month, seeing around 146.7 mm of rain over 10 days.
The humidity level rises to 68%, and winds remain steady at 31 knots (57 km/h). Despite the rain, it’s a good time for cultural events and indoor activities.
March
As summer ends, March brings milder temperatures, averaging 22.0°C (71.5°F). Rainfall decreases to 109 mm over 8 days, and humidity is at 70%. This transitional period is perfect for exploring the city’s parks and outdoor markets.
April
April sees further cooling with temperatures averaging 18.5°C (65.3°F). Rainfall is about 120 mm over 9 days, and humidity is around 74%. The pleasant weather makes it a great time for sightseeing and visiting museums.
May
May is cooler with average temperatures dropping to 14.7°C (58.5°F). Rainfall is moderate at 81 mm over 7 days, and humidity increases to 77%. This month is ideal for enjoying the city’s vibrant café culture.
June
June is one of the coolest months, with temperatures averaging 11.5°C (52.7°F) and minimal rainfall at 66 mm over 6 days. Humidity peaks at 78%. The shorter days and cool weather make it a cozy time for indoor activities and enjoying the local cuisine.
July
July remains cool with average temperatures at 11.3°C (52.4°F). Rainfall is similar to June, around 68 mm over 6 days, and humidity is at 77%. It’s a quiet month, perfect for visiting theaters and enjoying cultural performances.
August
August brings slightly warmer temperatures, averaging 13.4°C (56.1°F). Rainfall increases to 78 mm over 7 days, and humidity stays at 76%. The weather starts to improve, making it a good time for outdoor activities as spring approaches.
September
Spring arrives in September with temperatures averaging 15.8°C (60.4°F). Rainfall is 78 mm over 7 days, and humidity drops to 73%. The blooming flowers and pleasant weather make it a great month for visiting gardens and parks.
October
October sees further warming with average temperatures at 18.7°C (65.7°F). Rainfall is about 105 mm over 9 days, and humidity is at 70%. The mild weather is ideal for exploring the city and attending outdoor festivals.
November
November brings warmer temperatures, averaging 21.5°C (70.7°F). Rainfall is 115 mm over 9 days, and humidity is at 68%. It’s a lively month with many outdoor events and activities.
December
December is warm with average temperatures at 23.9°C (75.0°F). Rainfall is around 101 mm over 8 days, and humidity is at 65%. The festive atmosphere and long days make it a perfect time for visiting Buenos Aires and enjoying its outdoor attractions.
Last Considerations
Planning your visit to Buenos Aires requires understanding its unique climate. The weather in Buenos Aires showcases significant climatic transformations, especially visible during the extreme summer months, which can cause several disruptions, particularly in energy supply.
Despite these changes, the city maintains a distinct cycle of four seasons, each with its unique characteristics. For detailed insights and tips on the best times to visit, check out ExpatPathways.
Whether you’re a digital nomad, a traveler, or an expat, you’ll find all the information you need to enjoy your stay in Buenos Aires.
