Question 1

What is the weather like in Copenhagen in autumn?

Accepted Answer

Copenhagen experiences a gradual transition from mild to cold weather during autumn 2024 (September to November), with average temperatures of 10.6°C (51.0°F) across the season.

September in Copenhagen was the mildest autumn month, averaging 15.3°C (59.5°F) with some warm days reaching up to 28.3°C (82.9°F). October brought cooler conditions at 10.7°C (51.3°F), while November saw temperatures drop significantly to an average of 5.7°C (42.3°F), with the coldest nights reaching -7.4°C (18.7°F).

Rainfall during autumn 2024 totaled 229.6mm (9.0 inches), with September being the wettest month at 130.0mm (5.1 inches). October and November were drier, each receiving around 50mm of precipitation. Humidity remained consistently high throughout Copenhagen's autumn, averaging 84.1%.

Sunshine hours decreased dramatically as autumn progressed. September offered 221.2 hours of sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor exploration. By October this dropped to 119.2 hours, and November saw only 40.8 hours of sunshine, signaling the approach of winter's shorter days.

Visitors to Copenhagen during autumn should pack layers to accommodate the temperature range from warm September days to cold November evenings. Early autumn offers the best weather conditions for sightseeing, while later months are better suited for enjoying Copenhagen's cozy indoor cafés and cultural attractions.

Question 2

How cold did Copenhagen get in winter 2023/2024?

Accepted Answer

Copenhagen experienced notably cold temperatures during winter 2023/24 (December 2023 to February 2024), with the coldest reading reaching -9.9°C (14.2°F) on January 16, 2024.

The average temperature throughout the winter season was 2.4°C (36.3°F), though conditions varied significantly by month. January was the coldest month with an average of just 0.6°C (33.1°F), while December averaged 2.7°C (36.8°F) and February warmed up slightly to 4.0°C (39.1°F). Copenhagen recorded 36 frost days when overnight lows dropped below freezing, and 18 days where the average temperature stayed below 0°C (32°F) throughout the entire day.

Despite the cold, Copenhagen's winter 2023/24 was also quite wet, with total precipitation reaching 271.2mm (10.7 inches) across the three-month period. December was the wettest month with 113.7mm of rainfall, while February received the least at 71.4mm. The city recorded 51 days with measurable precipitation above 1mm during this period.

These conditions are typical for Copenhagen's maritime climate, where cold spells alternate with milder Atlantic weather systems. Visitors planning winter trips should prepare for temperatures that can swing from mild days reaching 11.8°C (53.2°F) to sharp cold snaps well below freezing.

Question 3

What is the sunniest time of year in Copenhagen?

Accepted Answer

Copenhagen enjoys its sunniest weather from May through August, with May being the brightest month of the year based on 2024 data.

In 2024, May recorded an impressive 333.1 hours of sunshine in Copenhagen, averaging 10.7 hours of daily sunlight. This makes late spring the peak period for sunshine seekers. The four-month stretch from May to August delivered a combined 1,083.0 hours of sunshine, representing nearly 60% of the city's annual total.

The summer months of June through August provided 749.9 hours of sunshine with pleasant average temperatures of 16.8°C (62.2°F). August was the second sunniest month with 291.4 hours, followed by July with 234.2 hours. These conditions make Copenhagen ideal for outdoor activities, harbour visits, and exploring the city's parks and waterfront areas.

In contrast, winter brings significantly shorter days. December 2024 was the darkest month with just 22.6 hours of sunshine, averaging less than one hour of direct sunlight daily. The entire winter period from December through February totalled only 111.4 hours of sunshine.

For visitors planning trips to Copenhagen, May offers the best combination of long sunny days and mild temperatures around 14.6°C (58.3°F), before the peak summer crowds arrive. The city recorded 1,813.7 hours of total sunshine throughout 2024, with the clear majority concentrated in the warmer half of the year.

Question 4

When does spring really start in Copenhagen?

Accepted Answer

Spring in Copenhagen officially begins on March 1st according to meteorological seasons, but true spring-like weather typically arrives in late April to early May. In 2024, Copenhagen experienced a gradual transition with temperatures slowly climbing from 4.7°C (40.5°F) in March to 14.4°C (57.9°F) by May.

The 2024 data reveals that March and April in Copenhagen still saw overnight frosts, with minimum temperatures dropping to -6.0°C and -3.2°C respectively. May 2024 marked the turning point when the city finally recorded its first month without sub-zero temperatures, with the lowest reading at 3.2°C (37.8°F).

The most dramatic temperature shift occurred between April and May, when average temperatures jumped by nearly 7°C. This pattern is typical for Copenhagen, where spring arrives later than in southern European cities due to its northern latitude. Sunshine hours also increased substantially during spring 2024, rising from 95.6 hours in March to an impressive 323.5 hours in May.

Spring precipitation in Copenhagen during 2024 totaled 155.7mm (6.1 inches), with April being the wettest month at 83.4mm (3.3 inches). For visitors planning a spring trip to Copenhagen, late May offers the most reliable weather conditions with warm temperatures, minimal frost risk, and abundant sunshine for exploring the city's outdoor attractions.

Question 5

How much total rainfall did Copenhagen receive in 2024?

Accepted Answer

Copenhagen received a total of 846.4mm (33.3 inches) of rainfall in 2024, distributed unevenly across the year with notable peaks in late summer and early autumn.

September 2024 was the wettest month in Copenhagen, recording 130.0mm (5.1 inches) of precipitation. July followed closely with 114.2mm (4.5 inches), making it the second wettest month. In contrast, March was the driest month with only 32.8mm (1.3 inches) of rainfall.

The seasonal distribution showed summer (June to August) as the wettest period with 261.4mm (10.3 inches) total, followed by autumn (September to November) at 229.7mm (9.0 inches). Spring months (March to May) recorded 155.8mm (6.1 inches), while the winter months of January and February 2024 saw 157.5mm (6.2 inches).

The average monthly rainfall in Copenhagen during 2024 was 70.5mm (2.8 inches). Six months exceeded this average: January, February, April, July, August, and September. This rainfall pattern means visitors to Copenhagen should expect occasional wet days throughout the year, with waterproof clothing particularly useful during the summer and early autumn months when sudden showers are most common.

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FAQ

What is the weather like in Copenhagen in autumn?

How cold did Copenhagen get in winter 2023/2024?

What is the sunniest time of year in Copenhagen?

When does spring really start in Copenhagen?

How much total rainfall did Copenhagen receive in 2024?