Weather Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the major Argentine city, located at the estuary of Rio (River) de la Plata. For this reason, it is also known as Queen of the Plata. The city is in the northeastern part of the country, on the opposite side of Rio de la Plata from Uruguay and its capital Montevideo. Asuncion, in Paraguay, and Santiago, in Chile, are the next two nearest major cities.
Ezeiza International Airport is the main and most convenient gateway to Argentina. Located some 30 kilometers/18.5 miles away from the city center, it features efficient public transport connections to the downtown. Ferry service is available from Uruguay.
The city of Buenos Aires features a humid subtropical climate without a dry season. The climate of the Mediterranean region is somewhat alike to the climate of the most populous city of Argentina. Still, you will find bigger variations in temperature and more abundant rainfall here. Typically, summers (December-February on the southern hemisphere) are warm, while winters (June-August) are mild for the most part.
As for rainy conditions, the amount of rainfall the metropolis receives varies from one month to another. Summers are the rainiest months, while winters are least rainy. Also, the number of wet days per month varies to a certain extent, with winter featuring least and summer most rainy days. Spring and autumn have approximately equal precipitation and number of wet days.
Summer is the high tourist season in the largest city of Argentina. If you plan to pay it a visit from December to February, make necessary reservations well in advance. While in the destination, prepare equipment for rain and light clothing. Humidity levels are also at their highest this time of year. Albeit the city has a long coastline, it lacks beaches.
Winter is the low season, with cold temperatures during days and light frosts during some nights. Still, average temperatures are well over the freezing point. Albeit the precipitation is the lowest during this season, the possibility of cloudy weather is the highest. So, you will benefit of affordable rates and the absence of tourist crowds if you don't mind these small inconveniences.
Shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) are somewhere in between considering all the aforementioned parameters. Travel-related expenses are, in general, reasonable, and sightseeing opportunities are great.
Buenos Aires, the Paris of South America, prides itself on grand architectural examples, first-class museums, excellent dining and, of course, tango. Nightlife and shopping are also among its main assets.
Summer Weather in Buenos Aires (December February)
Summer season features the highest annual temperatures and the highest amount of rainfall. January is the hottest month, with average temperatures ranging from 20C (68F) to 30C (86F). Air temperatures are slightly lower in December and February. According to statistics, January 14 is the hottest day of the year. Also, the highest ever recorded temperature in the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires was measured on January 29, in 1957. On that day, the temperature was 43C (109.4F).
Days are mostly sunny during this period. Essentially, they feature around 9 hours of sunlight throughout the season. The chances of cloudy conditions are at their annual minimum, being slightly higher or lower than 30%.
As for the rainfall, summer tends to feature intense showers and thunderstorms. The approximate accumulation of rainfall this Argentine destination receives is around 350 mm/13.8 in for the entire season. The average number of rainy days per month is 9. December typically features lower rainfall (105 mm/4.1 in) than January and February (around 120 mm/4.72 in each). Usually, the highest probability of rain is during late night hours.
According to observations, days around February 7 are most likely to be the wettest throughout the year.
The strength of the wind is on the decline from the beginning of the high tourist season toward its end. The average speed of the wind is 4.8 m/s in December, declining to 4.6 m/s in February (gentle breeze).
Summer is a good time for outdoor activities in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. Some points of interest you should plan to visit are:
- La Boca, the colorful neighborhood of the metropolis. It is also the home of La Bombonera, the stadium of famous Boca Juniors. Caminito Street is especially popular among travelers, boasting bright-colored houses, souvenir shopping and tango performances.
- Cabildo, a colonial-style building housing the museum about the city's past.
- Trendy Palermo District, featuring many noteworthy attractions. Japanese Garden, Galileo Galilei Planetarium and Latin American Art Museum are just a few of them.
- Floralis Generica, a masterpiece made of metal that acts like a live flower.
- And, of course, the National Congress, which dominates a vast plaza decorated with a fountain and monuments.
Autumn Weather in Buenos Aires (March May)
In autumn, temperature values decline at a moderate rate. March features comfortable temperatures for the most part, with warm periods during afternoons. Comfortable and cool temperatures alternate in April, while cool and cold temperatures are characteristic of May. Starting from May, light frosts tend to take place during nights. Hence, pack light cloth for a visit to Buenos Aires in March, and layered for other months.
This time of year, cloud cover is intensifying and, consequently, the duration of sunlight decreases. The likelihood of cloudy weather increases only slightly in March, up to 33%, but in May, it is already around 50%. The city has over 7 hours of sunshine per day on average in March, 6:40 hours in April and 5:30 hours in May.
Furthermore, March has a tendency to be the rainiest month of the year. The amount of precipitation the most populous city in Argentina receives during this month is around 145 mm/5.7 in. April is more favorable in this regard, with rain discharging around 100 mm/3.94 in throughout. May is the least rainy month of the autumn season, with rain discharging around 80 mm/3.15 in of liquids. March and April have, in general, 9 wet days, while May has 8. Both occasional rain and heavy showers are likely to take place in this season.
The speed of the wind doesn't vary to a greater extent during this period, being constantly around 4.6 m/s (gentle breeze).
With good weather, lower travel expenses and long sunlight, April is a great month for a visit to Queen of the Plata. Outdoor activities are still in vogue, and you can see tango dancers on the streets. Take a walk in Puerto Madero, the city's modern district featuring a couple of noteworthy attractions. Puente de la Mujer (Woman's Bridge) and Sarmiento Frigate Ship Museum are the two you shouldn't miss.
Winter Weather in Buenos Aires (June August)
Average temperatures continue to drop in the month of June, reaching their lowest annual levels in July. August is the least cold month of the winter season. Winter in the city of Buenos Aires features cool and cold temperatures. Afternoons and late evenings usually feature cool intervals, while it feels cold from late evening to early afternoon. Still, light frosts may occur when cold currents from the south reach the destination.
Daily temperatures in July usually vary between 8C (46.4F) and 15C (59F). According to observations, July 18 is the coldest day of the year, with lows around 8C (46.4F) and highs rising up to 14C (57.2F). However, the lowest temperature in this destination was recorded on July 9, 1918. On that day, the air temperature dropped down to -5.4C (22.3F).
June is the cloudiest annual month, with chances of overcast or mostly cloudy sky around 50%. July features 48% in this regard, while the probability of cloudy weather in August is around 45%. In accordance, June features the least sunshine throughout the year. The sun shines 4 hours per day this time of year. In July, it is sunny for approximately 4:40 hours per day, and around 6 hours in August.
Precipitation values usually don't vary greatly in the winter. They remain between 45 mm/1.77 in (June) and 60 mm/2.36 in (August) on average. Each winter month has around 8 wet days. Snowfall in this destination is extremely rare, and sporadic rain is the most common type of precipitation.
In this season, the speed of the wind grows from 4.7 m/s in June to 4.9 m/s in August. These values are characteristic of a gentle breeze. However, the wind speed increases sometimes over 5.3 m/s, becoming moderate breeze.
Obelisco de Buenos Aires (The Obelisk), is one of the most iconic landmarks of Buenos Aires, the Paris of South America. In addition to being visually appealing, it is a memorial revealing certain significant dates in the history of the Argentine capital.
Spring Weather in Buenos Aires (September November)
With the arrival of spring, average temperatures are on the rise. September is still relatively cool, with temperatures barely higher in comparison to August. October, however, features increasingly higher temperatures, which remain cool most of the day. Still, intervals of pleasant temperatures take place during afternoons. In November, it feels comfortable most of the day, with cool temperatures being predominant only during night hours.
Furthermore, the duration of sunlight rises at a considerable rate. Days in September typically have 6 hours of sunny weather. October and November have slightly over 7 and 8 hours of sunlight per day respectively. The chances of cloudy weather decrease from 41% in September to 33% in November.
Yet, rainfall is on the increase, especially from September to October. Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, accumulates around 75 mm/2.95 in of rainfall in the former, and around 130 mm/5.12 in of precipitation in the latter month. In November, around 120 mm/4.72 in of liquids fall in the city. The number of wet days rises from around 7 in September to 10 in October and November. On the bright side, nights are more likely to be rainy than days according to statistics.
September is the windiest month of the year with the average wind speed being around 5.1 m/s. During the other two months, the wind develops the speed of up to 5 m/s on average.
Spring is an ideal month for spending time outdoors in the largest city of Argentina. Jaracanda trees are in full bloom. Rosedal de Palermo and Japanese Garden are always beautiful, but especially in spring. Some other must-see attractions are Woman's Bridge, in Puerto Madero, and the National Congress with the adjacent fountain. Also, take an occasional detour from the grand boulevards to discover amazing street art in side streets and alleys.
Extreme Weather in Buenos Aires
Aside from occasional flooding, the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires is very unlikely to suffer from other hazards of nature. Floods in the area around the city are usually the outcome of intense showers in summer and spring.