Buenos Aires, Argentina: When to Go and Weather

Weather: Buenos Aires weather is relatively mild year-round due to its location at the mouth of the Rio de la Plata, which feeds into the Atlantic. Regional winds from the southwest bring cold, dry air to the city, while humid winds blow in to Buenos Aires from the southeast, bringing rain to the city throughout the year.

Summer: The months of December, January, and February are still, hot, and humid. The average temperature is 82 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 3.9 inches.

Fall: Autumn is rainy and sunny at turns, with scattered showers hitting the city for hours or days at a time. Buenos Aires weather can also be extremely pleasant at this time, with ample sunshine and comfortable in-between temperatures in the 60s and 70s. The average temperature is 68 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 3.5 inches.

Winter: Winter is rather mild in Buenos Aires. The days are short and can be chilly, though warm spells break up the cold for stretches of a few days. It rarely snows in Buenos Aires, though freezing rain comes down from time to time. The average temperature is 48 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 2.1 inches.

Spring: In spring, the jacaranda trees are in bloom and the sun peeks out from behind the winter clouds. Buenos Aires weather is lovely for strolling and sightseeing during the months of September and October (just don't forget to bring rain gear.) The average temperature is 70 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 3.8 inches.

For local weather reports in English, pick up a copy of the Buenos Aires Herald at a newsstand, or log onto the website at www.buenosairesherald.com.

When to Go: Peak Season

Buenos Aires receives the most international tourists precisely when the weather is the worst. That's because Argentina's capital is in the southern hemisphere, so the city experiences winter in July and August and summer in January. These seasons coincide with typical vacation times for both Americans and Europeans, so most travelers arrive in Argentina when it is either extremely hot and humid (December) or when the mild winter has set in and the days are short and cold (June, July, and August.) Hotels see the most business at this time, and despite the unpleasant weather and the fact that locals leave the city to seek refuge at the beaches of Uruguay, tourists crowd all of the major sites at this time.

When to Go: Off Season

February and November are the months of Buenos Aires' off season. During these in-between times, the city hosts fewer international travelers, though many cruise ships do pass through the area, dropping off tourists for an afternoon or an overnight in the capital. February is usually quite hot and humid, as it's the tail end of Argentina's summer, but November is usually warm and sunny, with jacarandas blooming all over the city. You won't spend as much on a hotel, nor will you bump into as many tourists, if you squeeze in your vacation before December's holiday rush, when international tourists swarm the city and the temperatures sky-rocket.

When to Go: Shoulder Season

Buenos Aires weather is the fairest during its shoulder season: March through May and September through October. There's a rush of young people visiting Buenos Aires on their spring break in March and April, but generally, the city is mellower and the temperatures are comfortable. Rain showers can affect your sightseeing schedule during the unpredictable spring and fall months, but as long as you're prepared with an umbrella and a jacket, you'll find that the city is alive with both indoor and outdoor attractions. Hotel rooms usually cost less at this time, too, though you'll want to reserve a few weeks ahead of time.

• Tue

   

  Mostly Sunny

  79  73

• Wed

   

  Thunder- storms

  75  64

• Thu

   

  Rain

  79  60

• Fri

   

  Partly Cloudy

  78  58

• Sat

   

  Mostly Sunny

  80  64

• Sun

   

  Scattered Thunder- storms

  79  61

• Mon

   

  Partly Cloudy

  78  55

Get more information on Buenos Aires weather.