Lisbon's appealing climate is amongst the warmest of any European capital city. Together with Ireland mainland Portugal occupies the most westerly position in Europe and its weather and climate are much influenced by the Atlantic. Its southerly latitude gives it a Mediterranean type of climate, but one where the summer heat is tempered by the Atlantic influence.
Lisbon has a warm climate, with sunny spring and summer days when temperatures frequently reach 30ºC or above. Winters are wet and windy, temperatures averaging around 10ºC. With these mild winters, plenty of hot summer weather and around 3,300 hours of sunshine, it is no wonder that Lisbon has become Portugal's number one tourist destination. The springtime temperatures are especially favourable and regularly hover around 25°C while Autumn can sometimes see rain be heavy as the fine weather of summer breaks.
Despite the temperate climate and regular sunshine, snow is not unheard of, although rare. Occasional brief flurries of sleet or snow can fall in January, arriving from the Arctic but rarely settling.
Landscape - Lisboa, photo by Antonio Sacchetti
