Salta features a subtropical highland climate with four distinct seasons, shaped by its altitude of 1,200 metres. Summers are warm and wet, with highs around 26–28°C and frequent thunderstorms, while winters are mild, dry, and sunny, with highs near 19°C and cool nights. Most rain falls from December to March, while the rest of the year is notably dry and pleasant.
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.
Salta’s climate is defined by its subtropical highland setting, resulting in mild temperature swings and dramatic seasonal rainfall. Summers (December–March) are warm and humid, with daytime highs of 26–28°C and nights around 15–16°C. This is the wettest season, with over 80% of the city’s annual rainfall – up to 700 mm – falling as frequent thunderstorms, often in the late afternoon or evening. The lush green hills and mountainsides during this period create a striking landscape, although heavy rains can sometimes make rural roads impassable. Sunshine is moderate, averaging 5–6 hours per day in summer.
Winters (June–August) are dry and sunny, with highs of 19–21°C and chilly nights averaging 3–4°C. Rain is extremely rare, skies are clear, and frost is common, though snow is rare in the city itself. Spring (September–November) and autumn (April–May) are transitional, with pleasant days (22–26°C), mild nights, and little rain. These seasons offer abundant sunshine and comfortable weather for exploring the region’s cultural and natural attractions. Annual precipitation ranges from 700 to 2,100 mm depending on the source and microclimate, but the majority falls in the summer months. Salta enjoys around 1,800–1,900 hours of sunshine per year, with daylight ranging from 11 to 14 hours depending on the season.
| Average climate data for Salta, Argentina | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 24 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 6 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 106 | 94 | 57 | 45 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 45 | 73 | 88 | 538 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 21 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 161 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 73 | 77 | 79 | 79 | 70 | 59 | 55 | 49 | 51 | 63 | 70 | 69 | 66 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 34 | 38 | 40 | 37 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 21 | 29 | 31 | 24 |
| Average UV index | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
The best time to visit Salta is from April to November, during the dry season. These months offer warm, sunny days (20–26°C), cool nights, and minimal rainfall – ideal for sightseeing, hiking, and enjoying the region’s colourful landscapes. Spring and autumn are particularly pleasant, with blooming flowers or vibrant foliage and fewer crowds.
The least favourable time to visit is from December to March, when the rainy season brings frequent thunderstorms, high humidity, and occasional travel disruptions due to muddy or impassable roads. While the landscape is lush and green, outdoor activities can be limited and some excursions may be unavailable.
Salta has warm, wet summers (highs 26–28°C) and mild, dry winters (highs 19–21°C, lows 3–4°C). Most rain falls from December to March, while the rest of the year is dry, sunny, and pleasant.
The rainy season runs from December to March, with frequent thunderstorms and up to 700 mm of rain. This period brings lush landscapes but can cause muddy roads and occasional travel delays.
Snow is rare in Salta city, but frost is common in winter. Surrounding mountains may see occasional snow, especially during cold snaps, but most winter days are sunny and dry.
Salta enjoys around 1,800–1,900 hours of sunshine per year. Winter and spring are the sunniest seasons, with up to 6–7 hours of sun daily, while summer has more clouds due to frequent storms.
Pack light, breathable clothes and a rain jacket for summer, layers for cool winter nights, and sun protection year-round. Bring sturdy shoes if exploring rural or mountainous areas, especially during the rainy season.
Yes, especially from April to November, when the weather is dry and sunny. Summer is lush but wet, making some outdoor activities and excursions less accessible due to rain and muddy conditions.
Salta is least crowded in winter (June–August) and early spring. These periods offer lower prices, clear skies, and pleasant weather, though some festivals and events attract visitors in spring and autumn.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is December (24.4 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is July (16.5 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 21 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is December (14.8 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is July (5.8 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 10.7 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is January (106 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is August (2 mm). Over the whole year there are 537.7 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is March (22 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is August (1.9 days). Over the whole year there are 160.5 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is July (3 mm). The months with the least snowfall are January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November and December (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 3 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is July (0.4 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are January, February, June, September and November (0 days). Over the whole year there are 0.9 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is March (79.2 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is August (49 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 66.1 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is October (9.6 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is April (7.3 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 8.2 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is March (40.3 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (7.8 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 23.7 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is December (Average daylight: 13.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is June (Average daylight: 10.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.6 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 9.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is February (Average sunshine: 8 h). Over the whole year there are 8.8 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are January, February, March, September, October, November and December (UV index: 5). The month with the lowest average UV index is May (UV index: 3). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.5.
