Weather & Climate in Buenos Aires
Season-by-season breakdown of what to expect. Best times to visit, what to pack, and how to handle the infamous winter heating situation.
Four Seasons Overview
Buenos Aires has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Unlike the Northern Hemisphere, seasons are reversed—summer is December-February and winter is June-August.
- Hot and humid
- Afternoon thunderstorms common
- Many locals leave for holidays (Jan)
- Outdoor events and festivals
- Beach trips to Mar del Plata
- • Light, breathable fabrics
- • Cotton and linen
- • Sandals and breathable shoes
- • Sun hat and sunglasses
- • Light jacket for air conditioning
- Mild and pleasant
- Beautiful fall foliage
- Less crowded than summer
- Great for walking tours
- Wine harvest season
- • Layers are key
- • Light sweater or cardigan
- • Jeans or light pants
- • Light jacket
- • Comfortable walking shoes
- Mild but damp
- Buildings often poorly heated
- Indoor cultural activities
- Lower tourist prices
- Coldest in July
- • Warm layers
- • Wool sweater or fleece
- • Warm coat or jacket
- • Scarf and light gloves
- • Warm socks and closed shoes
- Pleasant temperatures
- Jacaranda trees bloom (purple)
- Can be windy (viento)
- Best time to visit
- Outdoor cafes reopen
- • Layers for changing temps
- • Light jacket or sweater
- • T-shirts for warm days
- • Jeans or light pants
- • Light scarf for wind
Month-by-Month Breakdown
| Month | Temperature | Rain | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Hot | Low | Peak summer, many closures |
| February | Hot | Low | Still hot, Carnival events |
| March | Warm | Moderate | Start of autumn, pleasant |
| April | Mild | Moderate | Beautiful fall colors |
| May | Cool | Moderate | Cooler, fewer tourists |
| June | Cool | Low | Winter begins, damp |
| July | Cold | Low | Coldest month, school holidays |
| August | Cool | Low | Warming up slowly |
| September | Mild | Moderate | Spring starts, windy |
| October | Warm | Moderate | Jacarandas bloom |
| November | Warm | High | Spring storms, pleasant |
| December | Hot | Moderate | Summer begins, festive |
Best Times to Visit
- Perfect weather (15-24°C / 59-75°F)
- Beautiful jacaranda blooms
- Fewer crowds than summer
- Outdoor cafes and events
- Wine regions accessible
- Mild temperatures (12-22°C / 54-72°F)
- Stunning fall foliage
- Lower accommodation prices
- Harvest festivals
- Less humidity than summer
- Hot and humid (20-30°C / 68-86°F)
- Many locals away in January
- Some restaurants closed
- Beach day trips possible
- Festive atmosphere
- Mild but damp (8-15°C / 46-59°F)
- Lowest prices of the year
- Poor heating in many buildings
- Great for indoor activities
- Fewer tourists
Here's what guidebooks won't tell you: Buenos Aires winters feel colder than the temperature suggests because of poor building insulation and inconsistent heating.
Most apartments rely on individual units or space heaters. Some buildings have no heating at all.
Old buildings with high ceilings and poor insulation trap cold air. You'll often need layers indoors.
During cold snaps, gas pressure can drop, making heaters less effective. Have a backup plan (electric blanket, extra layers).
Renter tip: When apartment hunting in winter, ask about heating type and check if it actually works. A "frio/calor" (AC) unit is better than nothing, but central heating is gold.
Summer in Buenos Aires can be brutal. Temperatures in the 30s°C (86-95°F) combined with high humidity make it feel even hotter.
- • Air conditioning is not universal
- • Walking outdoors is exhausting midday
- • Afternoon thunderstorms common
- • Mosquitoes in humid areas
- • Plan indoor activities 12pm-4pm
- • Carry water everywhere
- • Seek cafes with AC
- • Consider day trips to Tigre
What to Pack
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
- Daypack
- Lightweight clothing
- Sandals
- Swimwear
- Sun hat
- Insect repellent
- Warm coat
- Layers
- Scarf
- Light gloves
- Warm socks
- Light jacket
- Layers
- Umbrella
- Light sweater
- Jeans
Pro tip: Buenos Aires is fashionable. While you don't need to dress up, avoid looking like a tourist (shorts in the city, hiking sandals, etc.) if you want to blend in.
Weather Resources
Most accurate for BA. Check "RealFeel" for humidity-adjusted temps.
Official national weather service. Best for severe weather alerts.
Essential for tracking the famous "viento" (wind) in spring.
What Reddit Says (The Honest Version)
"Winter in BA is miserable not because it's cold, but because buildings have no insulation. I wear a jacket indoors. My apartment has a space heater that barely works."
- r/argentina expat
"Summer humidity is no joke. I thought I could handle heat coming from Texas. Nope. The humidity here is different. Plan your day around AC locations."
- r/digitalnomad
"October is magic. The jacarandas are blooming, weather is perfect, and the city feels alive. This is when I'd tell anyone to visit."
- BA resident, 4 years
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
Check out our cost of living guide and neighborhood breakdowns to plan the perfect time to visit or move.