Gothenburg features an oceanic climate with mild to warm summers, cold, windy winters, and rainfall spread throughout the year. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, temperatures are milder than many cities at similar latitude. Dramatic seasonal changes in daylight and weather create a dynamic, welcoming atmosphere for visitors in every season.
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.
Gothenburg’s climate is shaped by its west coast location and proximity to the North Sea, resulting in four distinct seasons and moderate weather year-round. Summers (June–August) are mild to warm, with average highs of 20–22°C and lows around 12–15°C. Heatwaves above 25°C occur occasionally, but temperatures above 30°C are rare. Daylight is long, peaking at 18 hours in midsummer, and the city enjoys 'white nights' from late May to late July when it barely gets dark. Rainfall is frequent but moderate, with July and August being the wettest months, and short, intense showers are common. The sea warms to 17–18°C in August, making late summer the best time for swimming.
Winters (December–February) are cold, damp, and windy, with average highs of 2–5°C and lows near –1 to –3°C. Snow is possible from November to March but rarely stays long, while frost and fog are common. Days are very short, with as little as 6–7 hours of daylight and only 1–2 hours of sunshine in December. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with rapidly changing weather, blooming parks in spring, and colourful foliage in autumn. Rain and wind are frequent, especially in autumn, and temperatures range from 5°C in March to 17°C in May, and 19°C in September to 6°C in November. Gothenburg receives about 900–970 mm of precipitation annually, with 120–150 rainy days, and enjoys 1,500–1,700 hours of sunshine per year. Winds are moderate to strong, especially in winter and autumn, and humidity is high year-round, making cold days feel chillier.
| Average climate data for Gothenburg, Sweden | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 2 | 3 | 6 | 13 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 23 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -2 | -2 | -1 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 6 | 4 | -0 | -2 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 68 | 41 | 55 | 42 | 47 | 58 | 73 | 75 | 85 | 86 | 88 | 74 | 791 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 15 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 163 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 10 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 7 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Average UV index | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
The best time to visit Gothenburg is from June to August, when temperatures are mild to warm (16–22°C), daylight is longest, and the city is lively with festivals and outdoor events. Late spring and early autumn (May, September) also offer pleasant weather, blooming parks, and fewer crowds, making them ideal for sightseeing and enjoying the archipelago.
The least favourable time to visit is from November to February, when Gothenburg is coldest, daylight hours are shortest, and rain, wind, and dampness are most frequent. While winter brings festive lights and cosy cafés, outdoor exploration can be less comfortable due to chilly, wet, and unpredictable weather.
Gothenburg has an oceanic climate with mild to warm summers, cold, windy winters, and rainfall spread across the year. Dramatic changes in daylight and frequent clouds are typical, with milder temperatures than other cities at similar latitude.
Summer temperatures in Gothenburg usually reach 20–22°C, with occasional heatwaves above 25°C. Temperatures above 30°C are rare, and nights remain cool. Daylight can last up to 18 hours in midsummer.
Snow is possible from November to March but is usually light and melts quickly. Frost and fog are common in winter, while most winter precipitation falls as rain or drizzle.
Rain falls year-round, but July and August are typically the wettest months. Showers are frequent but often brief, so carrying an umbrella is recommended for all seasons.
Gothenburg enjoys about 1,500–1,700 hours of sunshine annually. June is the sunniest month, with up to 9 hours of sunshine per day, while December has only 1–2 hours daily.
Bring layers, a waterproof jacket, and water-resistant shoes. Even in summer, pack a jumper or light jacket for cool evenings. An umbrella is essential for sudden showers in any season.
Gothenburg is often windy, especially from autumn to spring. Humidity is high year-round, making cold days feel chillier and warm spells muggy. Wind and rain are common, so dress accordingly.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (23 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (2.2 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 12.3 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (14.8 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (-2.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 5.7 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (18.5 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is March (2.7 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 10.2 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is November (87.5 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is February (40.9 mm). Over the whole year there are 790.8 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is December (16.9 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is May (10 days). Over the whole year there are 163.1 days of rain on average.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 18 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 6.1 h). Over the whole year there are 12 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 8.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 1.1 h). Over the whole year there are 4.5 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 5). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, November and December (UV index: 0). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.3.
