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Montevideo lies on the south coast of Uruguay at approximately 34.90°S, 56.16°W, on the north shore of the Río de la Plata where it opens toward the Atlantic. It has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) with warm summers and mild, damp winters. With no mountains to block them, weather fronts sweep across the region freely, so conditions can change quickly and the city is notably windy.
Summer runs from December to March, with January the warmest month — average highs around 28°C and lows near 17–18°C. Heat waves can push temperatures to 35°C or beyond, though the sea breeze off the Río de la Plata keeps the coast cooler than Uruguay's interior. A distinctive feature is the sudden south wind, which can interrupt hot, sultry spells and drop temperatures sharply for a couple of days at a time.
Winter, from June to August, is mild but raw. July, the coldest month, averages highs around 14°C and lows near 6–7°C, and high humidity makes it feel colder than the numbers suggest. Cold outbreaks from the south can bring near-freezing nights and the occasional light frost, and fog is common. Snow is almost unheard of — the last significant snowfall in the city was back in 1930.
Rainfall is generous and spread fairly evenly through the year, totalling roughly 1,000–1,150 mm annually, with a slight peak in autumn around March and April. Winter rain tends to arrive as overcast drizzly spells with the passage of cold fronts, while summer brings frequent thunderstorms. Live rainfall, humidity, and pressure readings for the city are shown in the panels above.
Because Uruguay has no significant relief to shelter it, Montevideo is exposed to strong winds and rapid shifts in weather as fronts move through, particularly in winter and spring. High humidity and fog are common thanks to the abundant surrounding water, and wind shifts can be sudden and pronounced.
To follow any single measurement in Montevideo 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.