Haifa enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Summer highs typically reach 29–31°C, while winter days average 16–18°C. Rain falls mainly from November to March, with summers virtually rain-free. The city is known for its abundant sunshine, pleasant sea breezes, and comfortable weather for most of the year.
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.
Haifa’s Mediterranean climate brings four distinct seasons, shaped by its coastal location and moderate elevation. Summers (June–September) are hot, sunny, and dry, with daytime highs averaging 29–31°C and warm nights around 23–25°C. Rainfall is virtually nonexistent in summer, and humidity can be high, but cooling sea breezes make the heat more comfortable. Sunshine is abundant, with up to 13–14 hours per day in June and July, and sea temperatures peak at 27–29°C, making swimming and beach activities especially inviting.
Winters (December–February) are mild and wetter, with highs of 16–18°C and lows around 9–12°C. January is the wettest month, averaging 110–140 mm of rain over about 12 days, but even in winter, Haifa enjoys 5–8 hours of sunshine daily. Rain falls mainly as short, heavy showers, and snow is virtually unknown. Spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November) are transitional seasons, featuring mild, pleasant temperatures (18–27°C), blooming gardens, and fewer rainy days. Winds are generally light to moderate (4–14 km/h), and humidity averages 60–70% year-round. Haifa receives about 510–560 mm of rain annually and enjoys roughly 2,900–3,000 hours of sunshine each year.
| Average climate data for Haifa, Israel | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 17 | 17 | 19 | 24 | 26 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 24 | 19 | 31 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 9 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 18 | 14 | 11 | 9 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 124 | 95 | 52 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 79 | 136 | 542 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 14 | 12 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 64 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 68 | 68 | 64 | 62 | 63 | 73 | 80 | 83 | 73 | 68 | 59 | 64 | 69 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 19 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 23 | 21 | 23 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 6 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 9 |
| Average UV index | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
The best time to visit Haifa is from March to June and September to November. These months offer mild, sunny weather (20–27°C), minimal rainfall, and blooming gardens or autumn colours. The city’s outdoor attractions, beaches, and festivals are at their best, and sea temperatures are warm for swimming, making spring and autumn ideal for sightseeing and relaxation.
The least favourable time to visit is from December to February, when rain is most frequent and days are shorter. While temperatures remain mild (16–18°C), wet weather can disrupt outdoor plans. July and August can also be challenging for those sensitive to heat and humidity, though sea breezes provide some relief.
Haifa has hot, dry summers (highs 29–31°C) and mild, wet winters (highs 16–18°C). Rain falls mainly from November to March, while summers are sunny and virtually rain-free. Sea breezes help moderate the summer heat.
Snow is extremely rare in Haifa due to its mild coastal climate. Winter lows can drop to 9°C, but precipitation almost always falls as rain, not snow.
May to August are the sunniest months, with up to 13–14 hours of sunshine per day and long daylight hours. Even in winter, Haifa enjoys 5–8 hours of sun daily.
The Mediterranean sea in Haifa ranges from 19°C in winter to 27–29°C in August. Summer and early autumn are best for swimming and water sports, with warm, inviting sea temperatures.
Pack light, breathable clothes and sun protection for summer, layers and a rain jacket for spring and autumn, and a warm coat for winter evenings. Comfortable shoes are useful year-round.
Haifa experiences light to moderate winds year-round, with breezier days in spring and autumn. The sea breeze helps keep summer temperatures comfortable and evenings cool.
Haifa is least crowded in winter (December–February) and early spring. These periods offer quieter streets and attractions, but weather may be wetter and less suitable for outdoor sightseeing.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (31.4 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (17.1 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 24.7 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (23.7 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (8.6 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 15.9 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (28.4 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (17.4 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 22.6 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is December (136.4 mm). The driest months, with the least amount of precipitation, are July and August (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 541.6 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is January (14 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is August (0 days). Over the whole year there are 63.8 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is August (83.2 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is November (58.5 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 68.7 %.
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: 10 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: 12.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 5.9 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 June and July (UV index: 11). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 3). Over the whole year the average UV index is 7.1.
