Rio de Janeiro has a tropical climate, with hot, humid summers and warm, sunny winters. Being in the southern hemisphere June to August is the winter season, when temperatures are a little cooler and rainfall is higher. The coldest month of the year is July, with an average low of 17 °C (63 °F) and high of 22 °C (72 °F).
November to March is the summer season, when temperatures are at their highest and humidity is at its peak. The average summer high temperature is around 27 °C (81 °F) with a low of 21 °C (70 °F).
Rainfall is abundant in Rio, with an annual average of 1,500 mm (60 in). It is highest in the months of December and January, when temperatures are the highest. June to August is the dry season, when rainfall is low and temperatures are also the lowest.
The best time to visit Rio de Janeiro is during the spring (September to November) or fall (March to May). The weather is warm and sunny during these months, and there is less rainfall.
The bar chart below shows the average monthly peak daytime temperatures at Rio de Janeiro
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
°C | 29.5 | 29.9 | 29 | 27 | 25.5 | 24.6 | 24.2 | 24.9 | 24.9 | 25.5 | 26.5 | 28 |
°F | 85.1 | 85.8 | 84.2 | 80.6 | 77.8 | 76.3 | 75.5 | 76.8 | 76.7 | 77.8 | 79.6 | 82.3 |
Please note: these are the average peak daytime temperatures (usually around mid-afternoon) so do not show daytime / night highs and lows. To see the daily range of temperatures have a look at the temperature max / min chart below.
The graph below shows the average rainfall and number of rainy days per month.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mm | 203 | 186 | 183 | 146 | 107 | 71 | 66 | 76 | 96 | 129 | 159 | 207 |
inches | 8 | 7.3 | 7.2 | 5.8 | 4.2 | 2.8 | 2.6 | 3 | 3.8 | 5.1 | 6.2 | 8.1 |
Rainy days | 20 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 18 | 19 | 21 |
Average annual rainfall in Rio de Janeiro: 1563.033mm (615.4 inches)
The bar chart below shows the average daily sunshine hours in Rio de Janeiro
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hrs sunshine | 6.8 | 7.1 | 6.7 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 6.3 | 6.6 | 6.6 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.7 | 5.5 |
The graph below shows the daily range of temperatures for each month.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Min °C | 21.3 | 21.5 | 21 | 19.4 | 17.6 | 16.2 | 15.6 | 16.1 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20.3 |
Max °C | 29.7 | 30.1 | 29.2 | 27.2 | 25.7 | 24.8 | 24.4 | 25.1 | 25.1 | 25.7 | 26.7 | 28.2 |
Min °F | 70.3 | 70.7 | 69.8 | 66.9 | 63.6 | 61.2 | 60.1 | 61 | 62.5 | 64.3 | 66.1 | 68.5 |
Max °F | 77.9 | 78.4 | 77.2 | 73.9 | 70.9 | 68.9 | 68 | 69.1 | 69.8 | 71.2 | 73 | 75.6 |
The graph below shows the average sea temperature.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
°C | 25.7 | 26.1 | 26.3 | 25.8 | 24.3 | 23 | 22.3 | 21.9 | 21.9 | 22.5 | 23.6 | 24.8 |
°F | 78.2 | 79 | 79.3 | 78.5 | 75.8 | 73.5 | 72.1 | 71.4 | 71.5 | 72.5 | 74.4 | 76.6 |
The graph below shows the average wind speed.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km/h | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
mph | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
A monthly average windspeed of over 16km/h or 10mph suggests a location is fairly windy.
The graph below shows the average relative humidity.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
79% | 80% | 81% | 82% | 82% | 81% | 79% | 78% | 79% | 80% | 80% | 81% |
Hottest month: | February | 29.9°C 85.8°F |
---|---|---|
Driest month: | July | 66mm 2.6ins |
Sunniest month: | July | 6.6hrs |
Coldest month: | July | 24.2°C 75.6°F |
Wettest month: | December | 207mm 8.1ins |
Warmest sea: | March | 26.3°C 79.3°F |