Guadalajara, in western Mexico, enjoys a subtropical highland climate with warm, dry winters and hot, wet summers. Temperatures are mild year-round, with abundant sunshine and distinct wet and dry seasons. The city’s high altitude moderates the heat, making Guadalajara a comfortable destination for outdoor activities, festivals, and cultural exploration throughout 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.
Guadalajara’s climate is classified as subtropical highland (Cwa), shaped by its elevation of about 1,500 metres. The city experiences two main seasons: a pronounced rainy season from June to September and a dry season from October to May. Temperatures are warm year-round, with average highs ranging from 24°C in January to 33–35°C in May, the hottest month. Nights are cooler, dropping to 7–11°C in winter and 14–17°C in summer. Despite the heat, the altitude keeps evenings pleasant, especially outside the peak of summer.
The rainy season brings frequent afternoon thunderstorms, with July and August being the wettest months – rainfall can exceed 270 mm in July, often falling in intense but brief bursts. Humidity peaks during this period, and the city’s lush greenery thrives. The dry season, from November to May, sees minimal rainfall and abundant sunshine, with March and April being the driest months. Sunshine is plentiful year-round, averaging 7–9 hours per day, even during the wet season. Winds are generally light, averaging 8–15 km/h, and snow is extraordinarily rare. The combination of mild winters, hot springs, and a vibrant rainy season gives Guadalajara a dynamic but comfortable climate ideal for both residents and travellers.
| Average climate data for Guadalajara, Mexico | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 23 | 26 | 29 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 32 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 7 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 23 | 112 | 188 | 153 | 132 | 64 | 18 | 6 | 720 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 23 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 16 | 7 | 4 | 155 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 52 | 49 | 41 | 35 | 40 | 59 | 77 | 81 | 82 | 74 | 63 | 56 | 59 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 14 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 | 43 | 41 | 40 | 28 | 18 | 11 | 22 |
| Average UV index | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
The best time to visit Guadalajara is from October to December, when the weather is warm (26–29°C), rainfall is minimal, and the city hosts a packed calendar of festivals and cultural events. This period offers sunny skies, comfortable temperatures, and vibrant local life, making it ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
The least favourable time to visit is from June to September, during the rainy season. Frequent afternoon storms, high humidity, and occasional flooding can disrupt outdoor plans. May is also challenging due to extreme heat, with highs often exceeding 33°C and little relief from rain.
Guadalajara has a subtropical highland climate with warm, dry winters and hot, wet summers. Temperatures are mild year-round, and the city enjoys abundant sunshine, with most rain falling from June to September.
The rainy season in Guadalajara runs from June to September, with July and August being the wettest months. Expect frequent afternoon thunderstorms and lush green scenery during this period.
The hottest months are April and May, when daytime highs can reach 33–35°C. Evenings are cooler due to the city’s altitude, making the heat more manageable than in lower-lying areas.
Snow is extremely rare in Guadalajara. The last significant snowfall occurred in 1997, and most years see no snow at all due to the city’s mild winter temperatures.
Pack light, breathable clothing for daytime, a jumper or jacket for cool evenings, and sun protection year-round. Bring an umbrella and waterproof shoes if visiting during the rainy season.
Yes, especially from October to May when the weather is dry and sunny. During the rainy season, mornings are often clear, but afternoon storms can limit outdoor plans.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is May (32.3 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is December (23.4 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 27 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is June (17.9 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (9.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 12.9 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is July (187.9 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is April (2 mm). Over the whole year there are 719.8 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (29.4 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is April (2.2 days). Over the whole year there are 154.9 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is September (81.6 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is April (35.5 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 59.2 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is April (7.7 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (4.6 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 5.9 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is July (43.5 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is April (9.3 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 21.9 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 13 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 10.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is March (Average sunshine: 9.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 8 h). Over the whole year there are 8.9 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is May (UV index: 7). The month with the lowest average UV index is January (UV index: 4). Over the whole year the average UV index is 5.3.
