Weather in Montevideo: Climate, Seasons, and Average Monthly Temperature

Boasting a temperate climate, Montevideo has hot summers, mild winters, and rain year-round. Located on the northern banks of the Rio de la Plata, the city’s Köppen climate classification is humid subtropical.

During summer, temperatures reach into the 80s, and the river is warm enough to swim in. The sun shines for over 9 hours a day, and occasional heat waves sweep over the city’s Art Deco-style architecture, only to be broken up by afternoon thunderstorms. Fall is still good for swimming and surfing, though it sees more rain than summer. However, the sun still shines between six to seven hours a day, and the wind dies down somewhat. Winter is chilly and wet, with temps dipping into the mid-40s. Coupled with sleet, strong winds, and only a few hours of sunshine a day, it’s generally seen as the least favorable time to visit weather-wise. Spring is comparable to fall, but with more sunshine and longer days.

With an annual rainfall of 43.3 inches and a guaranteed eight to 10 days of rain per month, expect to experience some showers whenever you choose to visit Montevideo. Despite this, there’s still plenty of sun when it's not raining, and cloud covers can provide welcome shade when walking the Rambla or exploring the streets of Cuidad Vieja.

Fast Climate Facts

• Hottest Month: January (73.4 F)
• Coldest Month: July (51.8 F)
• Wettest Month: September (4 inches)
• Windiest Month: November (9.3 mph)
• Best Month for Swimming: February (73.6 F)

The Santa Rosa Storm

La Tormenta de Santa Rosa is a massive, violent storm predicted to occur sometime during the five days before August 30 or five days after. These storms have felled trees and produced golf-ball-sized hail in the past, with meteorologists citing the first warm winds of spring colliding with cold fronts blowing up from Antarctica as the scientific reason. It does not hit the city every year; in fact, the Argentine Villa Ortúzar SMN Observatory has recorded the storm since 1906 and found that it occurred only 56 percent of the time.

Much more than a weather phenomenon, the storm has been immortalized in regional folklore, originating in Lima, Peru. August 30 is Peru’s Festival of Santa Rosa, honoring the woman who petitioned God to save Lima from Dutch pirates in 1615. The legend claims her pleas invoked a terrible storm, shipwrecking the pirates and saving the city. While violent storms have occurred within these dates, the general rainy period around August 30 helps to continue the legend, even when a massive storm doesn’t happen some years.

Summer in Montevideo

Summer in Montevideo runs from December through February. Come to Montevideo during this season for the most sunshine of the year (up to 9.5 hours a day), the most daylight hours (up to 14.5 a day), and to swim in the Rio de la Plata when its water is warmest. With highs in the low 80s, summer has the hottest temperatures of any season, but the heat is tempered by sea breezes. Because it's the best time of year for beach hopping, summer is peak season for tourism, especially January. While February has plenty of sunshine, it's also one of the rainiest months of the year, meaning your beach time might be interrupted by afternoon thunderstorms.

What to pack: Bring a swimsuit, sunblock, sunglasses, a large hat, a big beach towel, shorts, tank tops, and a jacket for cool nights. Also take an umbrella and a raincoat, especially if going in February.

Average Temperatures by Month:

• December: High: 80 degrees F (27 degrees C); Low: 64 degrees F (18 degrees C)
• January: High: 82 degrees F (28 degrees C); Low: 66 degrees F (19 degrees C)
• February: High: 80 degrees (27 degrees C); Low: 66 degrees F (19 degrees C)

Fall in Montevideo

Fall is a short shoulder season (March through April), with temperatures running between the mid-50s and high 70s. The waves are good for surfing and the beaches far less crowded than in the summer. Sea temperatures are warm enough for swimming at the beginning of the season (72.3 degrees F / 22.4 degrees C), but get progressively colder by the end of April. The humidity rises to 75 percent and the showers that began in February continue into March, with 4 inches of rain falling on average. During the fall, wind speed drops slightly to 6.8 miles per hour, daylight hours last from 11 to 12 hours, and the sun shines for six to seven hours per day.

What to pack: Take jeans, T-shirts, shorts, a swimsuit, a rash guard (if surfing), sunglasses, a raincoat, flip flops, a light jacket, and waterproof shoes.

Average Temperatures by Month:

• March: High: 76 degrees F (24 degrees C); Low: 62 degrees F (17 degrees C)
• April: High: 72 degrees F (22 degrees C); Low: 54 degrees F (12 degrees C)

Winter in Montevideo

Winters in Montevideo are wet and chilly, but mild. Consider coming early in the season in May, when the average temperature is 65.5 degrees F (18.6 degrees C), rather than later in July, when it’s 52 degrees F (11.1 degrees C). The Pamperos (cold winds from the pampas) begin to blow in May and continue through September. Rain and cloud cover, coupled with the dropping temperatures and rising humidity, limits outdoor activities to cool walks along the Rambla with far fewer crowds than other months. Expect shorter days with about 10 hours of daylight, occasional frosts at night, and less sunshine (4.3 to 5.3 hours a day).

What to pack: Rain boots, a raincoat, and an umbrella will keep you dry. A sweater, warm coat, and beanie will stave off the cold.

Average Temperatures by Month:

• May: High: 65 degrees F (18 degrees C); Low: 51 degrees F (11 degrees C)
• June: High: 59 degrees F (15 degrees C ); Low: 46 degrees F (8 degrees C)
• July: High: 59 degrees F (15 degrees C); Low: 45 degrees F (7 degrees C)
• August: High: 61 degrees F (16 degrees C); Low: 47 degrees F (8 degrees C)

Spring in Montevideo

Visit Montevideo in the spring for great boating weather, pleasantly warm days full of sunshine, and mild evenings with light breezes. This shoulder season runs from September through November, and many consider it the best time to visit the country, as the average temperature ranges from the high 50s to the mid-80s. September to October is one of the rainiest periods of the year, but the sun shines from six to eight hours a day. Days get longer, stretching to 14 full hours of daylight by season’s end. The winds pick up to 9.3 mph, and the humidity drops to 71 percent, making the climate slightly drier.

What to pack: Bring shorts, tank tops, T-shirts, sunblock, sunglasses, flip flops, a sweatshirt, and a raincoat.

Average Temperatures by Month:

• September: High: 64 degrees F (18 degrees C); Low: 50 degrees F (10 degrees C)
• October: High: 69 degrees F (21 degrees C); Low: 55 degrees F (13 degrees C)
• November: High: 75 degrees F (24 degrees C); Low: 59 degrees F (15 degrees C)

Average Monthly Temperature, Rainfall, and Daylight Hours