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Rijeka features a humid subtropical climate with warm, sunny summers and mild, rainy winters. Summer highs reach 24–26°C, while winter lows can dip to -3°C. Rain falls throughout the year, peaking in autumn, and sunshine is most abundant from May to August. The city’s coastal setting brings breezes and dramatic weather contrasts.
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.
The climate of Rijeka
Rijeka, located on Croatia’s Adriatic coast, experiences a humid subtropical climate with Mediterranean influences. Summers (June–August) are warm and pleasant, with average highs of 22–26°C and lows around 10–12°C. July is typically the driest and sunniest month, offering up to 9 hours of sunshine daily and sea temperatures reaching 23–24°C – ideal for swimming. Unlike many Mediterranean cities, Rijeka does not experience a summer drought, and occasional thunderstorms can occur. The city’s beaches are lively in summer, while the nearby mountains provide a cool escape and, in winter, even alpine skiing just 10 km away.
Winters (December–February) are mild but wet, with average highs of 4–10°C and lows of -4 to 3°C. Snow is rare, usually appearing only a few days per year, and fog is uncommon. Rain is frequent, especially in November, which sees up to 231 mm of precipitation over 15 days. The cold bora wind is common in winter, bringing brisk, clear days and sometimes lowering temperatures sharply. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with mild to warm temperatures (13–22°C in spring, 16–20°C in autumn), variable rainfall, and blooming or colourful landscapes. Rijeka receives about 1,813 mm of precipitation annually and enjoys 2,000+ hours of sunshine, with daylight lasting up to 16 hours in midsummer.
| Average climate data for Rijeka, Croatia | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 9 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 28 | 24 | 19 | 13 | 10 | 28 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 3 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 129 | 106 | 111 | 113 | 102 | 121 | 71 | 102 | 156 | 204 | 180 | 153 | 1,548 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 11 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 131 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 66 | 60 | 59 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 56 | 56 | 63 | 67 | 67 | 66 | 62 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 11 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 18 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 20 | 17 | 14 | 18 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
Travel info
- Spring (March–May): Mild and fresh, highs of 13–22°C. Rain is moderate, especially in April and May. Gardens bloom – bring layers and a rain jacket.
- Summer (June–August): Warm and sunny, highs of 22–26°C. Occasional thunderstorms, long daylight hours, and lively beaches – pack light clothes, sun protection, and swimwear.
- Autumn (September–November): Warm early (up to 20°C), cooling to 10°C by November. Rain increases, especially in November. Enjoy autumn colours – bring a light jacket and umbrella.
- Winter (December–February): Mild but wet, highs of 4–10°C and lows down to -4°C. Rare snow, frequent rain, and cold bora winds – pack a warm coat, scarf, and waterproof shoes.
- General Tips: Rijeka weather is changeable – always check the forecast and pack layers, sun protection, and a rain jacket. Summer is best for beaches and festivals, while spring and autumn offer comfortable weather and fewer crowds.
The best time to visit Rijeka
The best time to visit Rijeka is from late May to September, when temperatures are warm (20–26°C), sunshine is abundant, and the Adriatic Sea is perfect for swimming. These months offer ideal conditions for beaches, festivals, and exploring the city’s coastal and mountain landscapes.
The worst time to visit Rijeka
The least favourable time to visit is from November to February, when rain is most frequent, days are shortest, and temperatures are coolest (highs of 4–10°C, lows of -4 to 3°C). While winters are mild, frequent rain and the cold bora wind can limit outdoor activities, though the city remains vibrant and cultural events continue.
Frequently asked questions
Rijeka has warm, sunny summers (highs 24–26°C) and mild, rainy winters (highs 4–10°C, lows -4 to 3°C). Rain falls year-round, peaking in autumn, and the city enjoys over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually.
Snow is rare in Rijeka, with only a few days of snow per year, usually in patches. Most winter precipitation falls as rain, and the nearby mountains offer snow for winter sports.
November is the wettest month, with up to 231 mm of rain and 15 rainy days. Rain is frequent from October to March, while July is the driest month with less than 100 mm of rain.
The Adriatic Sea in Rijeka warms to 23–24°C in July and August, making it ideal for swimming from June to September. In spring and autumn, the sea is cooler but still pleasant for many visitors.
Yes, the cold bora wind is common in winter, bringing brisk, clear days and sometimes lowering temperatures sharply. Winds are generally lighter in summer, making for pleasant beach conditions.
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, especially for exploring the city.
Yes, Rijeka has several beaches along the coast, such as Pećine and Kantrida, which are popular in summer. The sea is clean and warm, and the city’s setting offers both coastal and mountain recreation.
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Rijeka
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (28 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (9.1 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 17.9 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (18.7 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (3 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 10.2 °C.
Water temperature in Rijeka
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (24.9 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (10.6 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 17.6 °C.
Rainfall amount in Rijeka
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is October (203.8 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (70.8 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,548.1 mm of rainfall on average.
Rainfall days in Rijeka
The month with the most days of rain is April (12.7 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (8.5 days). Over the whole year there are 130.6 days of rain on average.
Snowfall days in Rijeka
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (0.7 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are July, September and November (0 days). Over the whole year there are 1.6 days of snowfall on average.
Relative humidity in Rijeka
The month with the highest average relative humidity is October (66.7 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is August (55.8 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 62.3 %.
Daylight hours and sunshine hours in Rijeka
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 8.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 9.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 3 h). Over the whole year there are 5.6 h of sunlight per day on average.
UV index in Rijeka
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 8). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.3.
- Rijeka climate overview
- Climate table
- Related travel information for Rijeka
- The best time to visit Rijeka
- The worst time to visit Rijeka
- Frequently asked questions
- Temperature summary
- Water temperature summary
- Rainfall amount summary
- Rainfall days summary
- Snowfall days summary
- Relative humidity summary
- Daylight hours and sunshine hours summary
- UV index summary
- Other recommended travel destinations