Shiraz, in southern Iran, features a hot continental climate with very hot, dry summers and cool, wetter winters. The city experiences dramatic seasonal contrasts, abundant sunshine, and low annual rainfall. With lush springs, long sunny days, and mild autumns, Shiraz is a captivating destination for history, gardens, and cultural exploration year-round.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Shiraz’s climate is defined by its inland position and elevation (about 1,500 metres), resulting in four distinct seasons and significant temperature swings. Summers (June–September) are extremely hot and dry, with average highs of 36–38°C and lows of 17–20°C. July and August are the hottest months, often exceeding 40°C during heatwaves. Humidity is low (20–25%), and rainfall is almost nonexistent, with less than 1 mm per month. Sunshine is abundant, with up to 11–12 hours daily and long daylight, making summer ideal for those who enjoy dry heat and clear skies. Evenings cool off, providing some relief from the daytime heat, and winds are generally light to moderate (7–10 km/h).
Winters (December–February) are cool and wetter, with highs of 11–14°C and lows of -1 to 3°C. Nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing, and January is the coldest month. Rainfall is concentrated in winter, with January and December receiving up to 60–85 mm monthly and about 7–8 rainy days. Snow is rare but possible. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the most pleasant seasons, with mild to warm temperatures (18–30°C), moderate rainfall, and lush gardens. April and May are especially beautiful, with blooming flowers and comfortable weather. Annual precipitation averages 305–370 mm, and Shiraz enjoys over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. Daylight ranges from 10 hours in winter to nearly 14 hours in summer.
| Average climate data for Shiraz, Iran | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 12 | 15 | 19 | 24 | 30 | 36 | 38 | 37 | 34 | 28 | 20 | 14 | 38 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -0 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 14 | 9 | 4 | 1 | -0 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 81 | 51 | 48 | 30 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 20 | 64 | 307 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 46 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 64 | 58 | 51 | 46 | 32 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 33 | 47 | 61 | 41 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 9 |
| Average UV index | 4 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 9 |
The best time to visit Shiraz is in spring (March to May), especially in April and May, when temperatures are mild (18–28°C), gardens are in full bloom, and rainfall is moderate. These months offer the most comfortable weather for sightseeing, festivals, and enjoying Shiraz’s famous gardens and historic sites.
The least favourable time to visit Shiraz is from June to August, when temperatures regularly exceed 38°C, rainfall is almost nonexistent, and outdoor activities can be uncomfortable during midday. Winter (December–February) can also be challenging due to chilly nights and occasional rain, though the city is quieter and more budget-friendly.
Shiraz has a hot continental climate with very hot, dry summers and cool, wetter winters. Rain falls mainly from November to March, while summers are extremely dry and sunny. Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant.
The best time to visit Shiraz is during spring (March–May), especially April and May, when the weather is mild, gardens are blooming, and rainfall is moderate. Autumn is also comfortable for sightseeing.
Summer highs in Shiraz typically reach 36–38°C, with July and August being the hottest months. Temperatures can exceed 40°C during heatwaves, but humidity is low and evenings are cooler.
Rain falls mainly in winter, with January and December being the wettest months (up to 85 mm). Snow is rare but possible during cold winter nights. Summers are almost completely dry.
Winds in Shiraz are generally light to moderate, averaging 7–10 km/h. Breezes can pick up during spring showers or summer thunderstorms, but strong winds are uncommon.
In summer, bring light, breathable clothing, sun protection, and a hat. For spring and autumn, pack layers and a light rain jacket. Winters require warm clothing and a rain jacket for cool, wet days.
Shiraz enjoys over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, with up to 12 hours of sun daily in summer and 7–8 hours in winter. Days are long and bright from late spring to early autumn.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (37.8 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (12 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 25.6 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (19.8 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-0.4 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 9.2 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is January (81 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is September (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 307.1 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is January (8.8 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is September (0 days). Over the whole year there are 46.3 days of rain on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (1.5 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are March, April, July and September (0 days). Over the whole year there are 3.1 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is January (64.2 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is June (22.5 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 40.6 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 10 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 11.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 7 h). Over the whole year there are 8.7 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are May, June, July and August (UV index: 12). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 4). Over the whole year the average UV index is 8.8.
