Mendoza, nestled at the foothills of the Andes in western Argentina, features a semi-arid climate with hot, sunny summers and mild, dry winters. The city enjoys around 300 days of sunshine a year, low humidity, and dramatic seasonal changes, making it a year-round destination for wine lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those seeking vibrant landscapes.
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.
Mendoza’s climate is shaped by its location near the Andes and its elevation of about 760 metres. Summers (December–February) are hot and mostly dry, with average highs of 30–32°C and plenty of sunshine – up to 10–11 hours daily. Nights are mild, typically 16–18°C. Most rain falls in summer, but even then, showers are brief and the air remains dry. Winters (June–August) are cool and dry, with daytime highs of 14–16°C and chilly nights often dipping to 2–4°C. Frosts are frequent, but snow is rare in the city, though visible on the nearby mountains. Mendoza’s climate is known for its clear skies, crisp air, and dramatic temperature swings between day and night, especially in spring and autumn.
Spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May) are transitional seasons with mild, pleasant temperatures (18–26°C by day) and vibrant landscapes – autumn in particular is famous for golden vineyards. Rain is scarce in these seasons, and humidity remains low, typically between 40–60%. Mendoza receives about 200–250 mm of rain annually, with July and August being the driest months. Winds are generally light, but the Zonda, a warm, dry wind descending from the Andes, can cause sudden temperature spikes and dry conditions. Sunlight is abundant year-round, with even winter months offering 6–7 hours of sunshine daily. The city’s climate, combined with irrigation from Andean meltwater, makes it ideal for wine production and outdoor activities.
| Average climate data for Mendoza, Argentina | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 28 | 27 | 24 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 28 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 18 | 17 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 3 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 68 | 62 | 29 | 14 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 23 | 45 | 54 | 324 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 14 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 93 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 42 | 50 | 50 | 57 | 60 | 54 | 50 | 44 | 43 | 43 | 39 | 39 | 48 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 10 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 13 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 12 | 11 | 14 |
| Average UV index | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
The best time to visit Mendoza is in autumn (March–May) and spring (September–November), when temperatures are mild (18–26°C), skies are clear, and the city’s vineyards are at their most picturesque. These seasons offer ideal conditions for wine tours, outdoor adventures, and enjoying Mendoza’s vibrant landscapes with fewer crowds than in peak summer.
The least favourable time to visit is mid-winter (June–August), especially for those seeking warmth, as nights can be cold (down to 2°C) and frost is common. However, this is the best period for skiing in the nearby Andes. Summer (December–February) can also be uncomfortable for some due to intense heat, though it is lively and sunny.
Mendoza has a semi-arid climate with hot, dry summers (30–32°C), mild and dry winters (14–16°C by day, 2–4°C at night), and very little rain. Sunshine is abundant throughout the year.
The best time for wine tourism is in autumn (March–May), when vineyards are golden, harvest festivals take place, and temperatures are comfortable for outdoor tastings and tours.
Mendoza is very dry, receiving only 200–250 mm of rain annually, mostly in summer. Snow is rare in the city but common in the Andes nearby, especially in winter.
Winter days are mild (14–16°C), but nights can be cold, often dropping to 2–4°C. Frosts are frequent, but clear skies and sunshine make afternoons pleasant.
Pack layers for large temperature swings, sun protection for all seasons, and warm clothing for winter mornings and evenings. In summer, bring lightweight clothes and a hat.
Yes, especially in spring and autumn when temperatures are mild and rainfall is low. Hiking, cycling, and vineyard tours are popular. Winter is ideal for skiing in the Andes.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is January (28.4 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is July (11.1 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 20.3 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is January (18.4 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is July (3.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 11 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is January (68.3 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (5 mm). Over the whole year there are 323.9 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is January (13.7 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is July (2.5 days). Over the whole year there are 92.8 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is July (17 mm). The months with the least snowfall are January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 31 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is July (0.8 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are January, February, March, April and October (0 days). Over the whole year there are 2.7 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is May (60.2 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is November (38.9 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 47.6 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is October (12.7 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (7.8 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 10.4 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is April (17.2 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is December (11.1 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 13.9 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is December (Average daylight: 14 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is June (Average daylight: 10 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 November (Average sunshine: 9.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is March (Average sunshine: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 9.1 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are January, February and December (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are May, June and July (UV index: 3). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.5.
