Copenhagen has a temperate oceanic climate, with cool winters, mild to pleasantly warm summers, and weather that can change quickly. Expect average highs from 2°C in winter to 21°C in summer, with moderate rainfall year-round. Long summer days and short, grey winter days shape the city’s unique seasonal rhythm.
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.
Copenhagen’s climate is shaped by its northern latitude and proximity to the sea, resulting in four distinct seasons. Winters (December–February) are cold and damp, with average highs around 2–4°C and lows near or below freezing. Snow is possible from December to March but rarely lasts long, and winter days are short, with as little as 1–2 hours of sunshine. The city’s hygge culture thrives in these cosy, candle-lit months.
Spring (March–May) brings gradually warmer temperatures, from 6°C in March to 16°C by May. Days lengthen rapidly, and parks burst into bloom, though rain and chilly winds can still occur. Summers (June–August) are mild to warm, with highs of 18–22°C, rare hot spells above 25°C, and up to 8–9 hours of daily sunshine. Nights remain cool, and rain showers are frequent but usually brief. Autumn (September–November) sees temperatures drop from 17°C in September to 7°C by November, with increased rainfall and wind. Copenhagen receives about 660–750 mm of precipitation annually, and humidity is high year-round. Winds are moderate to strong, especially in autumn and winter, averaging 15–20 km/h. Sea temperatures peak at 18°C in August, making late summer best for swimming.
| Average climate data for Copenhagen, Denmark | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 3 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 21 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -2 | -2 | -0 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 2 | -0 | -2 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 38 | 23 | 36 | 32 | 40 | 50 | 52 | 50 | 59 | 50 | 47 | 45 | 523 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 15 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 157 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 6 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 21 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 86 | 83 | 83 | 77 | 73 | 72 | 73 | 76 | 77 | 84 | 85 | 84 | 79 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 10 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 7 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Average UV index | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
The best time to visit Copenhagen is from June to August, when temperatures are mildest (18–22°C), days are longest, and the city buzzes with festivals and outdoor life. These months offer the most sunshine and comfortable weather for exploring by bike or foot, though a light jacket and umbrella are still handy for changeable conditions.
The least favourable time to visit is from November to February. These months are cold, damp, and windy, with highs of 2–4°C, frequent rain or snow, and very short daylight hours. While winter has its charm with hygge culture and festive markets, outdoor sightseeing can be less enjoyable due to the chilly, grey weather.
Copenhagen has cold winters (2–4°C), mild summers (18–22°C), and moderate rainfall throughout the year. Weather can change quickly, so packing layers and a rain jacket is always a good idea.
Yes, snow is possible from December to March, but it’s usually light and melts quickly. Most winter precipitation is rain or sleet, and deep snow cover is rare.
Copenhagen receives about 1,780 hours of sunshine annually. Summer days can have up to 8–9 hours of sun, while winter days are much shorter, with only 1–2 hours of sunshine.
The best months for swimming are July and August, when sea temperatures reach 17–18°C. Even then, the water is cool by southern European standards, but locals enjoy harbour baths and beaches.
Yes, Copenhagen is often breezy, especially in autumn and winter, with average wind speeds of 15–20 km/h. Winds from the sea can make temperatures feel colder, so dress accordingly.
Bring layers, a waterproof jacket, and comfortable shoes year-round. In winter, add a warm coat, hat, and gloves. Even in summer, pack a jumper and umbrella for sudden weather changes.
No, summers are mild and rarely very hot, with highs of 18–22°C. Occasional heatwaves can push temperatures above 25°C, but these are rare and short-lived.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (21.2 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (2.6 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 11.4 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (12.9 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (-1.8 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 5 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (17.8 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (2.2 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 9.7 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is September (59.5 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is February (22.8 mm). Over the whole year there are 522.6 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is December (15.4 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is May (10.7 days). Over the whole year there are 157.2 days of rain on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (6 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are May, August and September (0 days). Over the whole year there are 21.3 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is January (85.9 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is June (72.3 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 79.4 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 17 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 7 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 July (Average sunshine: 8.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 1 h). Over the whole year there are 4.5 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is June (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 0). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.7.
