Forecast Madrid: Weather and Temperature Month by Month

Madrid weather follows an inland pattern rather than the seaside one many British travellers associate with Spain. There is no sea temperature to speak of here; instead the city swings between cold, clear winters and hot, dry summers. The Madrid temperature climbs from an average high of 10°C in January to 34°C in July and 33°C in August, while overnight lows run from 1°C in mid-winter to 20°C at the height of summer.

Rain is modest overall and arrives mostly in spring and autumn. October is the wettest month at around 66mm, with March and April close behind at 58mm and 59mm, each spread over roughly nine wet days. July and August are almost bone dry. The best months are May, June and September, with March, April, October and November as shoulder months that suit sightseeing if you pack a layer and an umbrella.

Winter is crisp. January highs average 10°C with lows of 1°C and about seven wet days. Madrid February weather is drier, with only 25mm of rain over five days, and the temperature in Madrid in February reaches around 13°C by day and 3°C at night. December is similar to January, with highs of 12°C and six wet days. These are good months for long mornings in the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.

Spring warms quickly but brings showers. Madrid in March weather means highs around 16°C and lows of 5°C, with nine wet days, so the Madrid temperature March visitors meet feels mild rather than warm. Madrid April weather nudges up to 19°C with a similar nine wet days. May jumps to 25°C with just six wet days, and June reaches 30°C, the start of proper summer.

July and August are the hottest months at 34°C and 33°C, with one or two wet days and warm nights of 20°C; plan sightseeing early and late. September eases to 27°C, still dry with five wet days. Madrid October weather cools to 22°C but is the wettest month, with around nine wet days. Madrid in November weather drops to 15°C by day and 6°C at night, with eight wet days. You can compare package deals, hotel prices, tours and tickets, and car hire for any of these months on this page.

For December to February, bring a warm coat, a scarf and layers: daytime highs of 10°C to 13°C feel pleasant in the sun, but nights near freezing catch out travellers who pack as if for the beach. Comfortable waterproof shoes help on January's handful of wet days.

In the spring and autumn shoulder months, a light jacket, a jumper for the evenings and a compact umbrella cover most eventualities, since March, April, October and November bring eight or nine wet days each. May, June and September need little more than light clothes and a thin layer for the evening.

For July and August, think heat rather than rain: breathable clothing, a hat, sun cream and a refillable water bottle. With highs above 33°C, a cool museum such as the National Museum of Archaeology or the Sorolla Museum makes a sensible midday plan, leaving the Temple of Debod and the Royal Botanic Garden for the cooler evening and morning.