Granada’s altitude and inland position though means that the city has some continental characteristics. Despite being in one of the warmest areas in Europe, Granada has cold winters with nighttime temperatures being around freezing point and daytime temperatures usually being above 10°C (50°F).

This means that jackets and coats are needed if one is travelling in the city in the winter. The mercury does dip below -5°C (23°F) a few nights per year but any further below -8°C (16°F) is very rare. The record low is -13°C (8°F). Granada is also the only major city in Andalusia that records snow and sleet every year with an average of 2 days with frozen precipitation.

Aside from flurries, actual snowfalls occur roughly every 5-6 years. The Sierra Nevada mountains remain snow-capped in the coldest months. Granada starts to warm up during March but nights are still cold well into April with as they usually fall down to 4-8°C (40-46°F). Days however remain pretty warm (around 20°C or 68°F).

Summers are very hot with the average July temperature being 26°C (79°F) and average high being 34°C (93°F) and the average low being 17°C (63°F). Granada is more affected by hot waves more than coastal cities such as Malaga, Cadiz and Almeria due to not having the moderation of the sea.

Temperatures above 38°C (100°F) can happen a few times annually. The record high is 43.5°C (110.3°F). September usually considered a “summer” month but as October comes in the weather starts to become rainy and in November nights start to become cold.