Seville lies inland in southwestern Spain, in the low-lying Guadalquivir river valley of Andalusia at only around 10 metres above sea level and approximately 37.39°N, 5.99°W. It has a hot Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csa) that is among the hottest in Europe — sometimes described as almost African — with scorching summers and mild winters, the low valley acting as a heat trap far from the tempering influence of the sea.

Summer, from June to September, is long, dry and extremely hot, with July and August the hottest — average highs around 36–37°C and regular spells above 40°C, making Seville one of the hottest major cities on the continent. The dry, inland valley air and the lack of sea breeze mean relentless sunshine and sweltering afternoons, and the traditional response is a midday retreat indoors during the fierce heat. Nights stay warm.

Winter, from December to February, is short, mild and pleasant, with January the coolest month — average highs around 16–17°C and lows near 5–6°C. Frost is rare and snow essentially unknown in the city. These gentle winters, combined with abundant sunshine, make the cooler months and the spring — the season of Seville's famous festivals — by far the best time to visit.

Seville receives around 530–570 mm of rain a year, almost all of it falling between November and March, while the long summer is effectively rainless. Winter rain tends to arrive in spells linked to Atlantic fronts pushing up the Guadalquivir valley, sometimes heavy enough to cause flooding. Live rainfall, humidity, and pressure readings for the city are shown in the panels above.

Seville's defining weather feature is simply the intensity of its summer heat, a product of its low elevation, inland position and the heat-trapping Guadalquivir basin. Occasionally the Levante, a hot, dry easterly wind, pushes temperatures even higher and can carry fine Saharan dust. The city enjoys some of the most abundant sunshine in Europe, with around 3,000 hours a year.

To follow any single measurement in Seville 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.