Tehran, Iran’s capital, features a semi-arid continental climate shaped by its proximity to the Alborz Mountains and central deserts. The city experiences hot, dry summers and cold winters with occasional snow. Spring and autumn bring mild, pleasant weather, making them the most attractive seasons for visitors. Tehran’s climate varies by elevation, with cooler conditions in the north.
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.
Tehran’s climate is classified as cold semi-arid (BSk), with notable variations due to the city’s large size and elevation differences. Summers, from June to September, are hot and dry, with average highs ranging from 32°C to 38°C. Humidity is low, making the heat more tolerable, and nights can be cooler, especially in the northern, higher districts. Rainfall is scarce in summer, with almost no precipitation between June and September. Winters, from December to February, are cold and can be snowy, particularly in the north and foothills of the Alborz Mountains. Average lows in January can drop to -3°C, and highs rarely exceed 7°C. Snowfall is common, with central Tehran averaging about 12 snow days per year and the north experiencing even more. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, and clear skies. These seasons are marked by blooming gardens in spring and colourful foliage in autumn, offering the most comfortable conditions for outdoor activities.
Tehran receives about 230–240 mm of rain annually, mostly from November to April, and enjoys around 3,000 hours of sunshine each year. Wind speeds average 10–15 km/h, with occasional stronger gusts, especially during spring. Daylight ranges from about 9.7 hours in December to over 14.5 hours in June. The city’s climate can be cooler and greener in the north due to higher elevation and proximity to the mountains, while the southern areas are warmer and drier. Air quality can fluctuate, especially in winter, due to temperature inversions and urban pollution. Despite these challenges, Tehran’s distinct seasons and dramatic scenery provide a diverse climate experience for residents and travellers alike.
| Average climate data for Tehran, Iran | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 6 | 7 | 13 | 18 | 25 | 31 | 34 | 32 | 28 | 21 | 12 | 7 | 34 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -2 | -1 | 4 | 9 | 16 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 19 | 12 | 5 | -0 | -2 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 21 | 28 | 30 | 38 | 30 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 20 | 22 | 19 | 245 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 8 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 94 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 27 | 17 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 5 | 80 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 50 | 53 | 42 | 39 | 29 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 32 | 46 | 48 | 35 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 7 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 19 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 13 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 10 | 19 | 17 | 14 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
The best time to visit Tehran is during spring (March to May) and autumn (late September to early November), when temperatures are mild, rainfall is moderate, and the city’s parks and gardens are at their most beautiful. These seasons provide the most comfortable conditions for sightseeing, hiking, and cultural exploration.
The least favourable time for travel is during the peak of summer (July and August), when daytime temperatures often exceed 35°C, and the city can feel dry and dusty. Winter (late December to February) can also be challenging due to cold temperatures, possible snow, and occasional poor air quality.
Tehran has a semi-arid continental climate, with hot, dry summers and cold winters. The city’s proximity to the Alborz Mountains and its elevation cause significant temperature variations between districts.
The best time to visit Tehran is in spring (March–May) and autumn (late September–early November), when temperatures are mild, rainfall is moderate, and the city’s parks and gardens are at their most beautiful.
Yes, Tehran experiences snowfall in winter, especially in the northern and higher areas. Central Tehran averages about 12 snow days per year, while the north can see even more due to its proximity to the mountains.
Summer temperatures in Tehran often reach 32–38°C, with occasional peaks above 40°C. Despite the heat, humidity is low, and evenings can be cooler, especially in the northern districts.
Yes, Tehran is close to the Alborz Mountains, which offer excellent skiing and snowboarding opportunities during winter. Resorts like Tochal are popular for both locals and visitors.
Tehran receives about 230–240 mm of rain per year, with most precipitation occurring from November to April. Summers are very dry, with almost no rainfall from June to September.
Air quality in Tehran can decline during winter due to temperature inversions and pollution. It’s advisable to check air quality reports, especially if you have respiratory sensitivities.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (33.7 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (5.9 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 19.5 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (24.2 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-2.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 10.7 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is April (38.4 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is September (6 mm). Over the whole year there are 244.6 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is April (13.4 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is September (3 days). Over the whole year there are 93.5 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (27.4 mm). The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September and October (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 80.1 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (3.4 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are April, June, August, September and October (0 days). Over the whole year there are 8.8 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is February (52.8 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is July (19.8 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 35.1 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is June (9.4 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is November (5.5 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 7.6 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is March (22.4 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is September (4.1 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 13.7 %.
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: 9.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 12 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is February (Average sunshine: 6.9 h). Over the whole year there are 9.4 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July and August (UV index: 7). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.5.
