Medellin Weather Year-Round

Medellin is known as the City of Eternal Spring for its incredible year-round warm weather. There is no point in the year when you will feel overly cold or overly hot but rain is much more regular and heavier at certain times. The rains in Medellin can be refreshing and can help clear the air but can also disrupt the afternoon and change plans.

The city’s annual calendar of events fits perfectly within these seasons and the clearing of the rains is the perfect prelude for the famous flower festival. The month-long Christmas celebrations are perfectly timed with the dry season so people can hit the streets during dry, sunny December.

I have lived in the city for 16 years and Medellin weather is one of the best things about my adopted home. In this article, I will explain what to expect, how to plan for the rains, and share some tips on how to enjoy Medellin all year round.

Temperatures in Medellin

Temperatures vary very little across the year in Medellin. The record low is around 10°C (50 °F) but the mean is closer to 24°C (75 °F) rising to around 30°C (86 °F) regularly on a warm day and on very rare occasions up to a top temperature of about 35°C (95 °F). The temperature is almost always very comfortable. Heavy rain can make it feel a lot cooler but there are very rarely strong winds. Medellin weather is incredible.

Locals are so used to the consistent temperatures that you may hear complaints about the cold or hot weather even when it feels perfect to you. You may need a light second layer and an umbrella but you will never really need to rap up warm. Locals use umbrellas to stay out of the rain but also to block out the sun on warmer days. The bright blue sky set against the green mountains is beautiful.

While the temperatures stay consistent there are far bigger changes across the year in terms of rain.

December To February (Dry Season)

Average daily precipitation is lowest during this period with an average of 11.3 days of over 1mm of rain in December, 8 in January, and 9.3 in February. Most of December’s rain comes early in the month so towards the end of the year there is very little rain. This is great because Christmas is a celebration that lasts the full month and people love to spend time outside enjoying barbecues, drinking, and dancing.

Rain during this period usually comes late afternoon for a brief period so it shouldn’t impact too much on your plans. Rain comes as a refreshing relief to freshen up the city rather than something that has a major impact. This is the driest period of the year and this is a time when Medellin weather is at its best.

March to June (Wet Season)

Medellin Wet Season — Credit: Instagram @methodmedellin

Rainfall increases over this period to a peak of 18.6mm daily precipitation days in May before a reduction in June. During this period a brief heavy downfall will be a part of most days. You can see the clouds moving across the city during the day and you can estimate when it will arrive. It usually comes and goes quite quickly but it can be very heavy.

If you get caught in the rain you will be immediately wet. I am from the UK and people are used to going about their day during a bit of light drizzle but that isn’t the case in Medellin. Some plans will be canceled and people will avoid spending any time in the rain at all costs. I play football a lot and games will also be put on hold to avoid the lightning as it can be dangerous. When the brief, heavy rain clears then the sun comes out and the air feels fresher. This is when Medellin weather can be at its most unpredictable.

July to August (Dry Season)

Medellin Dry Season — Credit: Instagram @medellinenvideos

By the end of July, there are far fewer rainy days and the city celebrates with the annual Feria de las Flores. The combination of sun and rain in the city provides perfect flower-growing conditions. Late July into early August the flowers are picked and used in the annual flower fair carnival. Alongside December this is one of the best times to be in the city as the weather is great and people are in a party mood.

Medellin weather enables the flourishing of the flowers with heavy rains before clearing to allow everyone in the city to enjoy the party. Towards the end of this period, the rain begins to return.

September to November (Wet Season)

On the radio in Colombia, there is a regular announcement that says “From September you can feel December is coming”. This was first played on Olímpica Stereo radio but has become a national mantra. During this period people are working hard, saving up, and preparing for the month-long party that is December.

Periods of rain are frequent but the temperatures remain comfortable and it passes quickly.

Most appropriate Clothes

Each region of Colombia has very different weather and culture. Men in Medellin very rarely wear shorts and in general people in the city really make a big effort to dress stylishly and appropriately. While on the coast shorts are appropriate in almost every circumstance, if you wear shorts to go out in the evening in Medellin you will look slightly ridiculous. A gringo can be spotted a mile away, regardless of race or nationality, if they are taking the metro middle of the day with shorts and sandals.

I would recommend an umbrella during the rainy months and perhaps a light sweater or a hoody. You won’t need much more than that but you also won’t need to wear short shorts and a sleeveless shirt to feel comfortable with the heat. Medellin weather is extremely comfortable and the temperature is rarely something you will have to worry about.

Mornings, Afternoons and Evenings

Medellin Evening — Credit: Instagram @i_love_medellin

Early morning often feels like the coolest time of the day. Waking up and opening the windows after a rainy night can feel chilly but by 9 or 10 am the sun will be shining and you will feel warm. Between 11 am and 1pm the sun is at it’s brightest and you should consider sun protection. When I do sports at this time sun cream is essential and the heat can feel intense but in general it feels fine.

Rain tends to come more in the later afternoon into the evenings, so it is best to get up and out early to make the most of the day. As mentioned above, heavy rain can definitely impact your plans. Ordering an Uber or a delivery is also significantly harder during the rain as demand increases. Medellin weather changes throughout the day but is almost always comfortable.

Warmer and Colder Nearby Towns

Medellin weather is very consistent as it sits within a valley with temperatures and conditions varying very little from north to south. Once you travel outside of the city you will find temperatures very quickly fluctuate. Locals love to visit nearby towns at the weekend to either cool off and take in some fresh mountain air during warmer months or enjoy the heat and sun when Medellin temperatures are a little lower.

Nearby towns such as Santa Fe de Antioquia have temperatures of up to 10 degrees warmer than Medellin while Santa Elena can be 7 or 8 degrees cooler. Within an hour outside of the city you can enjoy vastly different temperatures and climates which is why heading to nearby pueblos and fincas is so popular. Another reason why Medellin is so great and further motivation to head out and explore.