Valencia and its metropolitan area have a Mediterranean climate (Köppen: Csa) bordering on a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BSh)[1] with mild winters and warm to hot summers. According to Troll-Paffen climate classification, Valencia has a warm-temperate subtropical climate (Warmgemäßigt-subtropisches Zonenklima)[2] and according to Siegmund/Frankenberg climate classification, Valencia has a subtropical climate.[3]
Winters in Valencia are mild. December, January and February are the coldest months, with average temperatures around 17- during the day and 7- at night. From a few to a dozen days in the winter, the temperature exceeds 20°C.
March and November are transitional months, the temperature often exceeds 20°C, with average temperatures of around 20°C during the day and 10°C at night.
Summers in Valencia area are warm to hot (in the middle of summer). Regular temperatures above 20°C begin as early as late March, although in this month the sea temperature is still cool: about 15C16C. The summer season ends normally around early October, as this month can see sometimes high temperatures below 20°C normally by the end of the month. The sea temperature in November remains mild - about 18°C.
July and August are the warmest months, with average temperatures around 30°C during the day and 22°C at night. In June and September the average temperature is around 26C28C during the day and 18C20C at night. In May and October the average temperature is around 24°C during the day and 15- at night and in April and November the average temperature is around 20- during the day and 11- at night.
Sunshine duration is 2,696 hours per year, from 155 - average about 5 hours of sunshine a day in December to 314 - average above 10 hours of sunshine a day in July.[4] This is a bit above average for the southern half of Europe because in this part of the continent, sunshine duration varies from about 2,000 to about 3,000 hours per year. However, this is a 70% larger value than in the northern half of Europe, where sunshine duration is around 1500 hours per year. In winter Valencia has about three times more sun duration than in the northern half of Europe.
Valencia has on average only 46 precipitation days a year, averaging several rainy days per month (≥ 1 mm), ranging from 1 in July to 5 in October. The average annual precipitation is less than 454 mm (17.87 inches), ranging from 9 mm (0.35 inch) in July to 74 mm (2.91 inch) in October.
Average relative humidity is 65%, ranging from 60% in April to 68% in August.
Valencia enjoys one of the most optimal number of hours of daylight in Europe. Days in winter are not as short as in the northern part of the continent. The average hours of daylight in December, January and February is 10 hours (for comparison: London[5] or Moscow[6] or Warsaw[7] - about 8 hours).
| Hours | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | |
| Twilight/Night | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
The highest temperature ever recorded during the day in the city centre is 44.7°C on 10 August 2023, while at the airport, the highest temperature is 46.81NaN1, recorded the same day. In the month of August 2003, the average reported daytime maximum temperature was a record 33.1°C (similar to a typical temperature in August of tropical Miami). The lowest temperature ever recorded was -7.2°C on the night of 11 February 1956. Generally, February 1956 was the coldest month in the history of the city (since temperature recording).[8]
The average annual temperature of the sea is about 18.5°C. In February, the average sea temperature is 13°C. In August, the average sea temperature is 26°C. From June to October, average temperature of sea exceed 21°C.[9] [10]
Valencia has a similar latitude to Madrid. However, the climate of these Spanish cities is very different, as Valencia is located at the seaside; Madrid is located in the approximate middle of the inland plateau. Valencia has much warmer winters (data from January, the coldest month):
and also Valencia has longer summers and milder temperatures in the middle of summer during the day.
Climate in other places in Iberian Peninsula:
