Buenos Aires has a humid subtropical climate with the seasons reversed from Europe's: hot, sticky summers from December to February, mild and damp winters in the middle of the year, and rain possible in any month. Its clock runs on UTC−3 all year, which puts the city an hour ahead of where its longitude would suggest.
Climate overview
Buenos Aires sits on the western shore of the Río de la Plata, one of the widest estuaries in the world, with the flat Pampas grasslands stretching inland. It has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa): hot, humid summers, mild winters and no true dry season. As a Southern Hemisphere city, its summer runs from December to February and its winter from June to August.
Average highs range from 28°C in January, the hottest month, to 14°C in July, the coolest. Winter nights are cool but rarely cold, with the lowest monthly mean at 8°C. The air is humid all year, which makes summer feel steamy and winter feel colder than the thermometer suggests.
Annual rainfall is about 1,107 mm. Rain falls in every month, but the warm half of the year is clearly wetter: January is the wettest month with 118 mm, while June, the driest, gets 55 mm. Rain falls on only around 71 days a year, so it tends to come in heavy bursts rather than long drizzly spells. Sunshine is generous, at around 2,586 hours a year.
Buenos Aires through the seasons
Summer (December to February)
Summer is hot and humid, with highs of 27–28°C and warm nights around 19–21°C. Heatwaves can push the temperature far higher for days at a time. Intense thunderstorms are common and can flood streets quickly. These are also the sunniest months, with 288 hours of sunshine in December. Many residents leave the city in January for the Atlantic coast, and the centre feels noticeably quieter.
Autumn (March to May)
Autumn is mild and often lovely, cooling from 26°C in March to 18°C in May. March and April are still wet, with around 108–112 mm each, but April and May bring many calm, sunny days that suit walking.
Winter (June to August)
Winter is mild but damp, with highs of 14–17°C and lows of 8–10°C. Frost is occasional in the outer suburbs, and grey, humid days are common. This is the driest part of the year. Snow is extremely rare (see the questions below).
Spring (September to November)
Spring warms from 18°C in September to 25°C in November. Jacaranda trees bloom purple across the city in November. Rain picks up again from October, when it falls on more days than in any other month.
What makes Buenos Aires's weather distinctive
Two winds shape the city's weather. The sudestada is a strong south-easterly that can blow for several days, bringing cold rain and pushing water from the Río de la Plata into low-lying riverside neighbourhoods. The pampero is a cold, dry south-westerly that often arrives after a storm, clearing the sky and dropping temperatures sharply within hours.
Summer storms are often intense, with a lot of rain in a short time, and some neighbourhoods are prone to flooding when drains are overwhelmed. In summer the combination of heat and humidity can make the city feel oppressive, especially away from the river.
Day length also changes a lot over the year, which shapes city life: long, light summer evenings suit the late porteño dinner hour, while winter afternoons are short. Our Weather page shows live conditions and the forecast.
Best time to visit Buenos Aires
September to November and March to May are the best times to visit, when mild temperatures suit walking between neighbourhoods, café terraces and parks. November adds the jacarandas; April and May bring settled autumn weather and fewer visitors.
Summer is hot and quieter in the city itself, though it is a good time to combine Buenos Aires with Patagonia, where the season is short. Winter is mild by European standards and good for museums, theatres and tango shows, as long as you pack for damp, grey days.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothing for summer
- A warm jacket and layers for damp winter days
- A compact umbrella for sudden storms
- Comfortable walking shoes for long city walks
- Smart-casual clothing for evenings out
- Sunscreen and sunglasses from October to March
Time in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires uses the America/Argentina/Buenos_Aires time zone at UTC−3 all year; Argentina does not currently observe daylight saving time, and last used it in the 2008–2009 summer. The whole country shares one clock. Because UTC−3 is an hour ahead of the city's solar time, sunrise and sunset come late by the clock, especially in winter. Buenos Aires is currently 3 hours behind London, and its offset with London changes by an hour when the UK moves its clocks.
| With | Difference | Time in Buenos Aires | Their time |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | +3 h | 09:00–15:00 | 12:00–18:00 |
| New York | −2 h | 11:00–18:00 | 09:00–16:00 |
| Dubai | +7 h | 09:00–11:00 | 16:00–18:00 |
| Tokyo | +12 h | No overlap | – |
| Sydney | +14 h | No overlap | – |
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 March | 06:56 | 19:05 | 12 h 8 min |
| 21 June | 08:00 | 17:50 | 9 h 50 min |
| 22 September | 06:42 | 18:49 | 12 h 7 min |
| 21 December | 05:37 | 20:06 | 14 h 28 min |
Frequently asked questions
What is the hottest month in Buenos Aires?
January, with average highs of 28°C and high humidity. December and February are almost as hot.
What is the coldest month in Buenos Aires?
July, with average highs of 14°C and lows of 8°C. Damp air makes it feel colder.
Does it snow in Buenos Aires?
Almost never. The last notable snowfall in the city was on 9 July 2007.
What is the sudestada?
A strong, persistent south-easterly wind that brings rain and cold, and can push the river into low-lying neighbourhoods.
Does Argentina change its clocks?
Not at present. Argentina stays on UTC−3 all year.