Weather in Porto

Planning a trip or a walk around Porto? To ensure your plans aren't affected by the whims of the weather, check out the latest information. Below you will find up-to-date data, detailed forecasts, and useful weather charts.

The climate in Porto is of the Mediterranean type, with warm, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The city enjoys moderate temperatures year-round, without extreme heat or severe cold, making it attractive to visit at any time. However, weather conditions change noticeably depending on the season.

The summer months, especially July and August, are characterized by a large number of sunny days and minimal rainfall. The average temperature during this time fluctuates around 20-25°C, creating ideal conditions for walking and exploring the city. Winter, from December to February, is cooler and wetter, with average temperatures around 10-13°C. Although frost and snow are a great rarity here, it is worth being prepared for frequent rains, especially in November and December.

Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with pleasant weather. In spring, the temperature gradually rises, and the number of rainy days decreases. In autumn, especially in September, you can still catch warm days, but by October and November, the amount of precipitation increases noticeably, and the air temperature drops. Overall, Porto offers a comfortable climate, but for trip planning, it is worth considering seasonal peculiarities, especially regarding rainfall.

The temperature regime in Porto throughout the year is characterized by pleasant moderation, avoiding extremes of both heat and cold. The warmest months are July and August: the average temperature during this period holds steadily around 21°C, and maximum figures often reach 25°C. The coolest month is considered to be January, when the average temperature is approximately 10.1°C. In January, night temperatures can drop to 7.1°C, and daytime temperatures rarely rise above 13.1°C.

Summer months in Porto bring comfortable warmth. Starting from June, with an average temperature of 18.4°C, the air gradually warms up, reaching its peak in August (average temperature 21.2°C, maximum up to 25.2°C). Days during this period are usually warm, creating wonderful conditions for getting to know the city. Nights offer pleasant coolness, with temperatures dropping on average to 15-17°C.

Winter in Porto is distinguished by its mildness. From December to February, average temperatures range from 10°C to 11.4°C. During the day, the air usually warms up to 13-14.6°C, and at night it cools down to 7-9°C. Strong frosts are uncharacteristic for Porto. Daily temperature fluctuations throughout the year are not too sharp: the difference between the average minimum and average maximum temperature is usually from 5-6°C in winter to about 8°C at the height of summer, which ensures a relatively stable temperature background.

In Porto, there is a clearly defined seasonality in the distribution of precipitation throughout the year. The city is known for its humidity, especially in the autumn-winter period, when rains become a frequent occurrence. Summer months, on the contrary, bring a significant decrease in precipitation, creating drier conditions for relaxation and walks.

The rainiest period in Porto falls in late autumn and winter. October stands out as the month with the highest average amount of precipitation, reaching 6 mm, with about 14 rainy days counted. It is followed by November and December, where the amount of precipitation is about 5 mm in each, but these months are the record holders for the number of rainy days – on average 15 days each. Also quite wet, with 13 rainy days, are the spring months of March and April, although the total amount of precipitation in them is somewhat lower (4 mm). Snow is extremely atypical for Porto; precipitation falls predominantly in the form of rain.

Summer in Porto is the driest season. July and August are practically devoid of precipitation: the monthly average amount is 0 mm. These months also see the fewest days with precipitation: just 4 days in July and only 3 days in August. Transitional months, such as May and September, are characterized by a moderate amount of precipitation (2 mm) and a smaller number of rainy days (9 and 8 respectively) compared to the autumn-winter peak, but are still not as dry as the middle of summer.

When planning a trip to Porto, it is important to choose your wardrobe correctly to feel comfortable in any weather. Given the city's mild but changeable climate, the best solution will be layered clothing. An indispensable item will be comfortable shoes, as Porto is a hilly city, and you will have to walk a lot. Do not forget a small backpack or bag for day walks, where you can put a bottle of water, a map, and other small items.

In the summer months (June-August), warm and sunny weather prevails with a minimal amount of rainfall. You will need light clothing made of natural fabrics, sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. Evenings can be a bit cooler, especially by the river or ocean, so a light jacket or sweater will not be amiss. In the autumn-winter period (from October to February), the weather becomes cooler and rainier. Be sure to take a waterproof jacket or raincoat, an umbrella, warm clothes (sweaters, fleece jackets), and possibly a hat and gloves for particularly chilly days. In spring (March-May) and early autumn (September), the weather is variable: warm sunny days can be replaced by cool and rainy ones, so the principle of layering is especially relevant here. A light jacket, jumper, and umbrella should be in your suitcase.

Regardless of the season, it can be windy in Porto, especially near the Douro River and the Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, a windbreaker or scarf may come in handy even on relatively warm days. Given the significant number of rainy days from October to April, waterproof shoes or at least a spare pair will be very useful. In general, be prepared for the fact that the weather in Porto can be unpredictable, and the ability to quickly adapt to its changes will make your journey much more pleasant.