The climate of Berlin
Berlin has a moderate continental type of climate (Köppen climate classification Cfb) with warm, wet summers and cold, relatively dry winters. Berlin, the capital of
Germany, straddles the River Spree in the western borough of Spandau of the northeast part of the country. Berlin's location in the temperate latitudes and the Northern European Plain mainly influences its climate.
Berlin has a topography that consists of rivers, lakes, canals, forests, woodlands, marshlands, and flatlands with an average elevation of 34 meters above sea level. Cold air masses from Siberia and Atlantic cold currents influence the climate of Berlin. The city has different microclimates with more significant seasonal temperature differences than a typical oceanic climate. An urban heat island effect is prominent in the core area of Berlin.
Berlin has four different seasons that rarely bring extreme cold or heat. Summers are warm and wet, with an average high temperature of 24.4°C (75.9°F) at the peak of
July. Winters are cold with many freezing nights as the average low-temperature drops to -2.8°C (27°F) during the peak winter month of
January. Spring is mild, with unstable weather and a touch of moistness. Autumn is temperate with pleasantness in the atmosphere amid light rainfall. Snowfall is common in the winter, but there is rarely any snow accumulation.
The rainfall occurs throughout the year in Berlin and registers its peak during the summer. Precipitation is a moderate 533mm (20.98") along with 152mm (5.98") to 203mm (7.99") of snowfall in the winter. Frost, sleet, and ice are common during the cold season. Berlin receives 1728 hours of annual sunshine, which is moderately intense even at the peak of summer. The sunshine varies from 8 hours during July to hardly 1.5 hours in
December.
The highest recorded temperature in Berlin is 38°C (100.4°F), while the lowest temperature on record is -25.3°C (-13.5°F).
The best time to visit Berlin
The best time to visit
Berlin is from late spring to early autumn, from mid-
May to
September.
The weather becomes pleasant as the cold fronts disappear by May. Summer is temperate with an increase in rainfall and frequency of thunderstorms. The sunshine is soothing, and the long days provide plenty of time for outdoor activities. Early autumn is mild, with a decrease in precipitation. Spring and autumn see fewer crowds compared to summer.
The worst time to visit Berlin
The worst time to visit
Berlin is during the winter season from
December to
February. The mercury column drops below freezing frequently in the cold season, and icy winds add to the chilliness. Snowfall is common at the peak of winter, along with frost, sleet, and a mixture of ice and rain. The sunshine is at the lowest intensity and duration during December and
January as the skies cast gloominess.
Weather hazards
Berlin has natural weather hazards in the form of storms, floods, earthquakes, and wildfires.
Spring flooding is frequent in low-lying parts of the city. The probability of earthquakes is low, but even a magnitude 6 event causes losses of billions of euro. Extreme temperatures are rare, but cold waves and heat waves trigger fatalities as those happened in 1996 and 2003. Thunderstorms and even hailstorms occur in spring and summer, while winter storms, though rare, occur periodically. Berlin has many forested areas that are prone to wildfires at the peak of summer.
Weather in January
January, like
December, in
Berlin,
Germany, is another cold winter month, with an average temperature ranging between min -1.9°C (28.6°F) and max 2.2°C (36°F). With an average high-temperature of 2.2°C (36°F) and an average low-temperature of -1.9°C (28.6°F), January is the coldest month.
Weather in January » Weather in February
The last month of the winter,
February, is also a wintry month in
Berlin,
Germany, with temperature in the range of an average low of -1.3°C (29.7°F) and an average high of 4.1°C (39.4°F). In Berlin, the average high-temperature in February is practically the same as in
January - a still wintry 4.1°C (39.4°F).
Weather in February »Weather in March
March, the first month of the spring in
Berlin, is a frosty month, with temperature in the range of an average low of 1.6°C (34.9°F) and an average high of 8.8°C (47.8°F). In March, the average high-temperature slightly increases from a cold 4.1°C (39.4°F) in
February to a frosty 8.8°C (47.8°F).
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April is a moderate spring month in
Berlin,
Germany, with an average temperature ranging between min 5.8°C (42.4°F) and max 15.5°C (59.9°F). In April, the average high-temperature rises from a frosty 8.8°C (47.8°F) in
March to a moderate 15.5°C (59.9°F).
Weather in April » Weather in May
May, the last month of the spring in
Berlin, is an enjoyable month, with an average temperature ranging between min 8.9°C (48°F) and max 19°C (66.2°F). In Berlin, the average high-temperature in May marginally rises from a moderate 15.5°C (59.9°F) in
April to an enjoyable 19°C (66.2°F).
Weather in May » Weather in June
June, the first month of the summer in
Berlin, is a warm month, with temperature in the range of an average high of 23.1°C (73.6°F) and an average low of 12.9°C (55.2°F). In Berlin, the average high-temperature in June marginally rises from an enjoyable 19°C (66.2°F) in
May to a warm 23.1°C (73.6°F).
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July, like
June, in
Berlin,
Germany, is a moderately hot summer month, with an average temperature ranging between max 24.8°C (76.6°F) and min 15.2°C (59.4°F). In Berlin, the average high-temperature in July is practically the same as in June - a still moderately hot 24.8°C (76.6°F).
Weather in July » Weather in August
The last month of the summer,
August, is another warm month in
Berlin,
Germany, with an average temperature fluctuating between 15.7°C (60.3°F) and 24.9°C (76.8°F). With an average high-temperature of 24.9°C (76.8°F) and an average low-temperature of 15.7°C (60.3°F), August is the warmest month.
Weather in August »Weather in September
September, the first month of the autumn in
Berlin, is still a comfortable month, with an average temperature ranging between min 11.5°C (52.7°F) and max 19.9°C (67.8°F). In September, the average high-temperature decreases from a warm 24.9°C (76.8°F) in
August to a comfortable 19.9°C (67.8°F).
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October, the same as
September, in
Berlin,
Germany, is another mild autumn month, with an average temperature fluctuating between 13.9°C (57°F) and 7.3°C (45.1°F). In Berlin, the average high-temperature in October drops from an enjoyable 19.9°C (67.8°F) in September to a moderate 13.9°C (57°F).
Weather in October » Weather in November
The last month of the autumn,
November, is also a frosty month in
Berlin,
Germany, with an average temperature ranging between min 3.5°C (38.3°F) and max 8.2°C (46.8°F). In November, the average high-temperature drops from a moderate 13.9°C (57°F) in
October to a chilly 8.2°C (46.8°F).
Weather in November »Weather in December
The first month of the winter,
December, is still a cold month in
Berlin,
Germany, with temperature in the range of an average high of 4.1°C (39.4°F) and an average low of 0.3°C (32.5°F). In December, the average high-temperature marginally drops from a chilly 8.2°C (46.8°F) in
November to a wintry 4.1°C (39.4°F).
Weather in December » [Resources]