The climate in Uruguay

Climate zone: sub-tropics of the southern hemisphere

For several months of the year, it is warm to hot at temperatures continuously above 25 degrees Celsius, sometimes up to 30 degrees. The warmest and also rainiest greaster region is Northern Interior. The coldest is Atlantic Coast. Due to the warmer temperatures, the best time for traveling is in January. Less attractive are the cold months from May to September.

Temperature records of the last 74 years

The hottest temperature measured from 1949 to January 2023 was reported by the Mercedes weather station. In January 2022, the record temperature of 42.7 °C was reported here. The hottest summer from July to September, based on all 14 weather stations in Uruguay , was recorded in 2017 with an average temperature of 14.8 °C. This average temperature will normally be measured every four to six hours, thus also including the nights. Normally, this value is 12.7 degrees Celsius. The average maximum daily temperature at that time was 19.1 °C.

The coldest day in these 74 years was reported by the Salto weather station. Here the temperature dropped to -22.0 °C in July 2000. Salto lies at an altitude of 42 meters above sea level. The coldest winter (January to March) was in 1951 with an average temperature of 18.8 °C. In Uruguay, it is usual to have about 4.0 degrees more at 22.8 °C for this three-month period.

The most precipitation fell in April 1959. With 26.7 mm per day, the Salto weather station recorded the highest monthly average of the last 74 years. Incidentally, the region with the most rainfall for the whole year is around Artigas. The driest region is near Punta del Este.

Data basis and methodology

The data from the individual measuring stations are based on the archives of the German Weather Service, individual values averaged and supplemented by own elements. In order to determine a representative national average, average values were first calculated for each part of the country, which were then summarized at the national level. Thus, if a disproportionate number of weather stations are located in a small area, their number does not affect the national average. There are 15 stations in Uruguay itself. In 9 cases, neighboring but nearby weather stations were also used to obtain more accurate values.