Weather device in Buenos Aires Botanical Garden; credit: José María Pérez Nuñez, Wikimedia

The best time to visit Buenos Aires is December through March when the average daytime temperatures are in the low 80s Fahrenheit or high 20s Celsius.

But it’s also the rainy season when average rainfall reaches four to five inches a month.

To many who haven’t ventured there before, the Southern Hemisphere can seem all sunshine all the time, but there are still four seasons to the year—just reversed.

The climate in Buenos Aires is a perfect example: Spring runs from September to November, summer runs December to February; fall is March to May and winter is June to August.

Buenos Aires is the most popular tourist destination in Argentina largely due to the many cruise ships that dock off its ports. Though the city does enjoy a nice breeze that comes off its surrounding waters, the Buenos Aires summers can get pretty hot. All the more reason to escape to the beach.

Buenos Aires has a humid subtropical climate with steamy summers and mild winters. The warmest month is January, when days see hot temperatures and cool nights. Heat waves from Brazil can push temperatures high, but the heat index is higher than the true air temperature.

Yet the city is subject to cold fronts that bring short periods of pleasant weather. Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) are generally mild and frequent thunderstorms occur during the spring.

© 2021 Scott S. Bateman

Spring is very windy and fluctuating: there may be heat waves even in early October, as well as periods of much colder weather. Thunderstorms are likely between September and December and rain can be expected at any time of year, with hail storms occurring every now and then.

Winters are temperate, and central Buenos Aires sees frost only a few times from May to September. Buenos Aires climate is noted for its moderate to heavy fogs during autumn and winter, with July being the coolest month.

Cold spells originating from Antarctica come through the city almost every year, and combined with the high wintertime humidity, conditions in winter may feel much cooler than what they actually are. Southerly winds may keep temperatures low for a few days, whereas northerly winds can bring temperatures above - these variations are normal.

Snowfall and blizzards are extremely rare. Winter temperatures are moderated by the South Atlantic and for a city with a relatively low latitude, are more comparable to Cape Town or Los Angeles.

When to Go

From a climactic standpoint, spring (September to November) and fall (March to May) are the best seasons to visit Buenos Aires. Also, many sporting events and festivals take place during this time, so it’s a win-win.

Winters can get cold but not freezing, and a perfect opportunity to visit the city’s many museums, theaters and cafés.

Buenos Aires overflows with tourists during the late spring and summer (November to March), though the hottest months of January and February can get a little too humid.

Since most Porteños flock to the coasts when this happens, places like museums and entertainment venues close down in the capital (January and February being the worst months to be doing business here).

No matter when you choose to visit Buenos Aires, the city has plenty to offer visitors year-round.