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Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
In Berlin, the climate is
moderately continental, characterized by cold winters, with average temperatures around freezing (0 °C or 32 °F), and moderately warm summers, with daytime temperatures hovering around 25 °C (77 °F).
The city is the capital of Germany and is located in the north-east of the country, at 52 degrees north latitude.
The city is exposed to both cold and warm air masses, so both the weather and the temperature are highly variable.
As happens in the big cities, in Berlin, there is an
urban heat island, where temperatures are higher, typically by one or two degrees Celsius, compared with the surrounding countryside, especially at night and in winter.
Precipitation is not abundant, though it's well distributed over the seasons. During the warm season, from May to August, thunderstorms can erupt in the afternoon.
Winter, from December to February, is cold, with average temperatures hovering around freezing. However, during winter, different situations can occur.
When
Atlantic currents prevail, there may be relatively mild periods, when it can rain and the temperature can exceed 10 °C (50 °F); in these cases, however,
wind and humidity can increase the feeling of cold.
Then, there are situations in which a high pressure system dominates, and the weather is cold and gray, with night frosts, and daytime temperatures around freezing or even a little below. Later, when the westerlies start to blow again, flowing above the layer of cold air, they can bring snow, sleet, rain mixed with snow or rain that freezes.
At other times,
cold air masses of Siberian origin can cause
snowfalls and frosts, sometimes intense. In the past, once every few years, it happened that the temperature remained below freezing for an entire month. In recent years, it has become rarer, however, cold waves can still occur, with temperatures dropping to -12/-13 °C (8/10 °F) or below. The coldest record is -25.3 °C (-13.5 °F) and was set in January 1987.
Spring, from March to May, is a season characterized by
unstable weather, with the first warm days, but also the return of cold weather. March is often a cold month, with frequent snowfalls. In April, cold periods are still possible, with late snowfalls, especially in the first half of the month, but also the first mild days, when the temperature can exceed 20 °C (68 °F), especially in the second half of the month.
In early May, it can still get cold; with the passing of the weeks, the first warm days occur, with temperatures exceeding 25 °C (77 °F) and the first thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Summer, from June to August, is
pleasantly warm: daytime temperatures hover around 23 °C (73 °F) in June and 25 °C (77 °F) in July and August. However, nights are cool, and sometimes even a bit cold. Atlantic depressions can arrive even in this season, bringing some cool and rainy days, while in periods of good weather, the temperature can get close to 30 °C (86 °F). There is some variability from year to year: there may be summers characterized by long periods of warm and sunny weather, and others in which cool and rainy weather is more frequent. However, some hot days, with highs around 28/30 °C (82/86 °F), occur every year.
Occasionally, there may also be
heat waves, with highs of 35 °C (95 °F) or more, maybe just for a day or two, which are becoming more frequent due to global warming. The highest record is 38.4 °C (101.1 °F) and was set in late June 2019.
On sunny days,
thunderstorms can break out in the afternoon.
In
autumn, from September to November, the flow of
Atlantic fronts, which had never completely stopped, resumes with greater frequency, although a period of good and unseasonably warm weather can sometimes occur, a sort of Indian summer, called
Altweibersommer, in September and sometimes in October. Usually, September is still an acceptable month; cold and gray weather usually arrives in the second half of October or more likely in November, when the first snowfalls are also possible.
In Berlin, the amount of
sunshine is not great, however, it is passable from May to August, when the days are also very long; there are about 7/8 hours of sunshine per day from May to August. From November to February, the sun rarely shines and the days are short.
Best Time
The
best time to visit Berlin runs from mid-May to late September. In September, the days are shorter than in the previous months, but the weather is generally pleasant. However, even in summer, it's better to bring some heavier clothes, such as a sweatshirt or sweater, and a light jacket for cooler evenings. It may be also useful to bring an umbrella or a raincoat, for rains and thunderstorms.
The following weather data was collected at Schönefeld Airport, located on the south-eastern outskirts of the city.
Berlin - Climate data
In Berlin, the
average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of
0.5 °C, that of the warmest month (July) is of
19.5 °C. Here are the average temperatures.
Berlin - Average temperatures (1991-2020) |
| Month | Min | Max | Mean |
|---|
| January | -2.2 | 3.2 | 0.5 |
|---|
| February | -1.8 | 4.9 | 1.5 |
|---|
| March | 0.4 | 9 | 4.7 |
|---|
| April | 4 | 15.1 | 9.6 |
|---|
| May | 8.2 | 19.6 | 13.9 |
|---|
| June | 11.7 | 22.9 | 17.3 |
|---|
| July | 14 | 25 | 19.5 |
|---|
| August | 13.5 | 24.8 | 19.2 |
|---|
| September | 9.8 | 19.8 | 14.8 |
|---|
| October | 5.6 | 13.9 | 9.7 |
|---|
| November | 1.9 | 7.7 | 4.8 |
|---|
| December | -0.9 | 4.1 | 1.6 |
|---|
| Year | 5.4 | 14.2 | 9.8 |
|---|
amounts to
535 millimeters per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from
30 millimeters in the driest months (February, April) to
70 millimeters in the wettest one (July). Here is the average precipitation.
Berlin - Average precipitation| Month | Days |
|---|
| January | 40 | 10 |
|---|
| February | 30 | 8 |
|---|
| March | 35 | 9 |
|---|
| April | 30 | 6 |
|---|
| May | 55 | 8 |
|---|
| June | 60 | 9 |
|---|
| July | 70 | 9 |
|---|
| August | 50 | 8 |
|---|
| September | 45 | 8 |
|---|
| October | 40 | 8 |
|---|
| November | 40 | 8 |
|---|
| December | 40 | 10 |
|---|
| Year | 535 | 101 |
|---|
There are on average around 1730
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Berlin - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
| January | 2 | 60 |
|---|
| February | 2.5 | 70 |
|---|
| March | 4 | 120 |
|---|
| April | 6.5 | 190 |
|---|
| May | 7.5 | 230 |
|---|
| June | 7.5 | 230 |
|---|
| July | 7.5 | 230 |
|---|
| August | 7 | 215 |
|---|
| September | 5.5 | 160 |
|---|
| October | 3.5 | 115 |
|---|
| November | 2 | 55 |
|---|
| December | 1.5 | 45 |
|---|
| Year | 4.7 | 1730 |
|---|
Berlin - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of
0.5 °C, with a minimum of
-2.2 °C and a maximum of
3.2 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-12 °C. However, it dropped to
-21.8 °C in January 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
10.5 °C. However, it reached
15.1 °C in January 1991.
Precipitation amounts to
40 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 22% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
17.1 kph.
February is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of
1.5 °C, with a minimum of
-1.8 °C and a maximum of
4.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-9.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-20.6 °C in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
12.5 °C. However, it reached
17.4 °C in February 2000.
Precipitation amounts to
30 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
16.8 kph.
March is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of
4.7 °C, with a minimum of
0.4 °C and a maximum of
9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-6 °C. However, it dropped to
-13.5 °C in March 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
18 °C. However, it reached
22.9 °C in March 2010.
Precipitation amounts to
35 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 32% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
16.6 kph.
April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
9.6 °C, with a minimum of
4 °C and a maximum of
15.1 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-2.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-7.4 °C in April 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
24 °C. However, it reached
30 °C in April 2012.
Precipitation amounts to
30 mm, distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is of
15 kph.
May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
13.9 °C, with a minimum of
8.2 °C and a maximum of
19.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
1.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-1.6 °C in May 2017.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
28.5 °C. However, it reached
32.4 °C in May 2018.
Precipitation amounts to
55 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is of
14.4 kph.
June is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of
17.3 °C, with a minimum of
11.7 °C and a maximum of
22.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
6.5 °C. However, it dropped to
1.8 °C in June 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
31.5 °C. However, it reached
38.4 °C in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to
60 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is of
13.6 kph.
July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
19.5 °C, with a minimum of
14 °C and a maximum of
25 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
9 °C. However, it dropped to
6.2 °C in July 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
32.5 °C. However, it reached
37.3 °C in July 2010.
Precipitation amounts to
70 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is of
13.3 kph.
August is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
19.2 °C, with a minimum of
13.5 °C and a maximum of
24.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
8 °C. However, it dropped to
5.2 °C in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33 °C. However, it reached
38 °C in August 2018.
Precipitation amounts to
50 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is of
12.6 kph.
September is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of
14.8 °C, with a minimum of
9.8 °C and a maximum of
19.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
4 °C. However, it dropped to
1.2 °C in September 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
27 °C. However, it reached
32.3 °C in September 2009.
Precipitation amounts to
45 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
12.9 kph.
October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
9.7 °C, with a minimum of
5.6 °C and a maximum of
13.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-1.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-7.7 °C in October 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
21.5 °C. However, it reached
26.6 °C in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to
40 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
14 kph.
November is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of
4.8 °C, with a minimum of
1.9 °C and a maximum of
7.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-5 °C. However, it dropped to
-11.7 °C in November 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
15 °C. However, it reached
20.9 °C in November 2020.
Precipitation amounts to
40 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 21% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
15.1 kph.
December is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of
1.6 °C, with a minimum of
-0.9 °C and a maximum of
4.1 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-9 °C. However, it dropped to
-18.4 °C in December 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
11 °C. However, it reached
15 °C in December 2006.
Precipitation amounts to
40 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are short. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 20% of the time.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
16.3 kph.