Weather in Dortmund

Find out what weather awaits you in Dortmund! In this section, you will find the most up-to-date information and forecasts to make your stay in the city as pleasant and predictable as possible.

The climate in Dortmund, located in Germany, can be characterised as temperate, with four distinct seasons. Here, you can expect a warm but not sweltering summer, and a relatively mild, cool winter. Spring and autumn offer pleasant transitional weather, allowing you to enjoy the city during various periods.

The summer months, from June to August, are usually the warmest, with an average temperature of around 18-19°C, while daytime highs can reach 22-23°C. In winter, from December to February, the average temperature fluctuates around 3-5°C. A feature of the weather in Dortmund is the fairly frequent rainfall throughout the year, although the total monthly amount is not large. This means the sky is often overcast, and light rain is possible in any season, so having an umbrella or raincoat will be useful when planning your trip.

The temperature regime in Dortmund is characterised by moderate figures throughout the year, without sharp fluctuations or extreme values. The warmest month is traditionally August, when the average air temperature is about 19.1°C. Daytime highs in August can reach a pleasant 23.6°C, while nighttime lows drop to 14.7°C. The coolest month is considered to be January: the average temperature at this time holds at the mark of 3.6°C, while during the day the air warms up on average to 5.6°C, and at night it can cool down to 1.6°C.

Summer months in Dortmund, from June to August, usually delight with comfortable warm weather. Average temperatures during this period range from 18.0°C in June to 19.1°C in August. During the day, the thermometer most often shows from 22.7°C to 23.6°C, creating excellent conditions for sightseeing and outdoor recreation. Nights bring refreshing coolness, with temperatures in the range of 13.4°C - 14.7°C. It is worth noting that in summer there is a noticeable difference between day and night temperatures, which can be about 9-10°C, so a light sweater or jacket for evening walks will be very handy.

Winter in Dortmund, covering the period from December to February, is distinguished by cool but generally mild weather. Monthly average temperatures vary from 3.6°C in January to 4.8°C in February. At night, the temperature can drop to 1.6°C - 2.7°C, occasionally approaching the freezing point, however, severe frosts are not typical for this region. During the daytime, the air usually warms up to 5.6°C - 7.7°C. Daily temperature fluctuations in winter are less significant than in summer, amounting to approximately 4-6°C, which ensures a more even temperature background throughout the day.

In Dortmund, precipitation is a fairly frequent phenomenon throughout the year, however, its intensity is usually not high. The city does not have a pronounced rainy season or, conversely, a dry period, judging by the total monthly amount of precipitation. Nevertheless, the frequency of days with precipitation varies noticeably from month to month, which creates periods with a higher and lower probability of encountering rainy weather.

The highest number of days with precipitation is usually observed in the winter months and in mid-autumn. Thus, December stands out as the month with the highest frequency of precipitation, counting on average 18 wet days. Following are January (17 days) and October (16 days). During these periods, the probability of rain or, given the winter temperatures, snow, is highest. Conversely, the lowest number of days with precipitation falls on June and September – on average 12 days in each of these months. In spring, for example in April, the number of wet days is about 13, and in May – 14.

As for the total volume of falling precipitation, it remains comparatively small throughout the year. Monthly figures range from 2 mm (for example, in April, May, June, and November) to 3 mm (in January, February, March, July, August, September, October, and December). Given the low average temperatures in the winter period, especially in January (average minimum temperature 1.6°C) and December (average minimum temperature 2.7°C), precipitation at this time of year can fall not only in the form of rain but also in the form of snow. The rest of the year, it is predominantly light or moderate rain.

When planning a trip to Dortmund, it is important to consider the peculiarities of the local climate, which is characterised by frequent, though usually light, precipitation throughout the year. An indispensable companion at any time will be an umbrella or a light raincoat, as well as comfortable waterproof shoes, especially if you plan to walk a lot. The key principle when packing your suitcase should be layering in clothing. This will allow you to easily adapt to temperature changes throughout the day and feel comfortable both in the cool morning and in the warmer afternoon, as well as during sudden rain.

In summer, from June to August, when the average temperature holds around 18-19°C, and daytime highs can reach 22-23°C, you will need light items: t-shirts, shorts, dresses. However, do not forget to grab a light jacket or sweater for evening walks or in case of cloudy weather. Sunscreen will also be useful on clear days. In winter, from December to February, the weather is significantly cooler (average temperature 3-5°C), so your suitcase must contain a warm jacket, sweaters, hat, gloves, and scarf. Given the possibility of snow and frequent precipitation, warm and waterproof shoes will be especially relevant. In spring and autumn, the weather in Dortmund can be quite changeable, so layered clothing is the best choice: combine t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, jumpers, and windbreakers to be ready for any whims of nature.