Frankfurt am Main sits in the Upper Rhine lowlands of central-western Germany, on the River Main at around 110 metres elevation and approximately 50.11°N, 8.68°E. Sheltered by surrounding hills in one of the country's warmest corners, it has a temperate climate — mild winters and warm summers — that is a little more continental than the North Sea coast but milder and sunnier than most of Germany, thanks to its low, protected valley position.

Summer, from June to August, is warm and, by German standards, among the hottest, with July the warmest month — average highs around 25–26°C. The sheltered Rhine-Main basin can trap heat, so hot spells regularly climb past 30°C and heatwaves are becoming more frequent, though they often end in sharp afternoon thunderstorms. It is also one of the wetter seasons, with summer storms delivering much of the rain.

Winter, from December to February, is cool to cold but relatively mild, with January the coldest month — average highs around 4°C and lows a degree or two below freezing. The valley's low, sheltered position means winters are less windy than the coast but more prone to fog and low cloud during still, high-pressure spells. Snow falls occasionally but rarely lies for long.

Frankfurt is relatively dry for western Germany, receiving around 600–650 mm of precipitation a year — its inland, partly sheltered position keeps it drier than Hamburg or Cologne — with a summer maximum driven by thunderstorms and a fairly even spread the rest of the year. Live rainfall, humidity, and pressure readings for the city are shown in the panels above.

Frankfurt sits in the Upper Rhine rift, one of the warmest and most sheltered parts of Germany — the same benign climate that makes the wider region prime wine country. The trade-off for its calm, sheltered winters is a tendency for fog and stagnant air to settle in the basin during high-pressure spells, while its hot, thundery summers reflect the heat that builds in the low-lying valley.

To follow any single measurement in Frankfurt more closely, use our live instruments: the online barometer for atmospheric pressure, the thermometer for temperature, the hygrometer for humidity, the anemometer for wind speed, the wind vane for wind direction, and the rain gauge for rainfall.