Weather in Salta

Planning your day in Salta? Check out the most up-to-date weather data, forecasts, and useful charts right here in this section.

The climate in Salta, Argentina, can be characterized as temperate or subtropical highland, with distinct seasons. Overall, the weather here is quite comfortable throughout most of the year, without extreme temperature fluctuations, but with a noticeable difference between the summer and winter periods, especially regarding rainfall.

Summer, which falls during the period from December to March, is warm in Salta and is the wettest time of the year. Average daytime temperatures fluctuate in the range of 17-19°C, and maximums can reach 22-23°C. This is also the season with the highest amount of precipitation; although the total amount is not large (8-9 mm per month), rains can be frequent. Winter, lasting from June to August, is characterized by cool and very dry weather. Average temperatures drop to 10-12°C, with minimum nighttime temperatures around 5°C, and precipitation is practically absent during this period.

Spring (September-November) and autumn (April-May) are transitional seasons with pleasant, mild weather. In autumn, the amount of precipitation and air temperature gradually decrease, while in spring, conversely, it gets warmer and the likelihood of rain increases slightly. This clear seasonality, with a warm wet summer and a cool dry winter, allows tourists to choose the most comfortable time to visit Salta depending on their preferences.

The climate in Salta is characterized by noticeable seasonal temperature fluctuations. Throughout the year, the average monthly temperature varies from approximately 10.6°C in July to 19.4°C in January. The hottest months are typically December, January, and February, when the average maximum temperature holds around 22.3-23.5°C, and the average minimum does not drop below 14.5-15.4°C. This creates a sensation of pleasant warmth, especially during the daytime hours.

The summer period in Salta, covering the months from December to March, is distinguished by warm days when the thermometer can rise to 23.5°C in January. Nights also remain quite warm, with an average minimum temperature of around 13.9-15.4°C. Winter, in contrast, brings cooler weather, especially in June and July. During these months, the average temperature is around 10.6-10.9°C. Daytime maximums can reach 16.0-16.3°C, but nights become significantly colder, with average minimum temperatures around 5.2-5.5°C. Thus, substantial diurnal temperature variations are observed during the winter period.

The transitional seasons – spring (September-November) and autumn (April-May) – demonstrate a gradual change in temperature regimes. In autumn, the temperature smoothly decreases from an average of 15.4°C in April to 12.3°C in May. In spring, the reverse process occurs: the temperature gradually increases, starting with an average of 12.1°C in August and reaching 18.1°C in November. During these periods, a significant difference between day and night temperatures is also noticeable, which in certain months, such as August (with an average maximum of 18.5°C and a minimum of 5.7°C) and September (with an average maximum of 20.8°C and a minimum of 8.5°C), can be quite pronounced and even exceed the daily fluctuations in the middle of winter.

In the city of Salta, there is distinct seasonality in the distribution of precipitation throughout the year. The city experiences a clear wet season and dry season, while precipitation, judging by the temperature data, falls predominantly in the form of rain.

The wet season in Salta usually falls during the southern hemisphere's summer months, roughly from November to March. The greatest amount of precipitation falls during this period. January and February stand out as the wettest months, with rainfall of about 9 mm and a significant number of rainy days – 26 and 24 days respectively. This indicates frequent, though not necessarily heavy, rains. December (8 mm, 22 rainy days) and March (8 mm, 23 rainy days) are also quite wet. Even in transitional months, such as November (6 mm, 18 rainy days) and April (6 mm, 20 rainy days), precipitation is still noticeable.

The dry season covers the winter months, roughly from May to August, and extends to the beginning of spring (September). At this time, the amount of precipitation decreases sharply. June, July, and August are the driest months, when only about 1 mm of precipitation falls, and the number of rainy days is minimal – from 5 to 7 days per month. May (3 mm, 13 rainy days) and September (2 mm, 8 rainy days) are also characterized by a small amount of precipitation, marking the transition to wetter or from wetter periods.

When planning a trip to Salta, it is important to consider the features of the local climate, which is characterized by noticeable temperature changes throughout the year and even within a single day. The basis of your wardrobe should be layered clothing. It can be warm during the day, especially in the summer months, while evenings and early mornings, particularly in the winter period, can be cool. Comfortable shoes for walking around the city and its surroundings, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat will be indispensable, as the sun in Argentina can be quite strong.

The summer and transitional seasons in Salta (approximately from November to April) are distinguished by warmer temperatures, with average maximums around 20-23°C. This period also sees the highest number of days with precipitation, especially from December to March, when the number of rainy days can reach 22-26 per month, although the total amount of rainfall is moderate. It is recommended to bring light clothing made of natural fabrics, t-shirts, shorts, as well as a light waterproof jacket or raincoat and possibly a small umbrella. Do not forget a light sweater or cardigan for evening walks.

The winter months (from May to August) in Salta are cooler and drier. Average daytime temperatures range from 16°C to 18.5°C, while nighttime temperatures can drop to 5-8°C. At this time of year, you will need warmer items: sweaters, a fleece jacket, a mid-season jacket, jeans, or thick trousers. Although there is significantly less precipitation, a light windbreaker may come in handy. In spring (September-October), the weather gradually warms up, but the principle of layering remains relevant, as the difference between day and night temperatures is still palpable.