Madrid has an inland Mediterranean climate in the western half of the city transitioning to a semi-arid climate (BSk) in the eastern half.
Winters are cool due to its altitude, which is approximately 667 m (2,188 ft) above sea level, including sporadic snowfalls and frequent frosts between December and February. Summers are hot, in the warmest month, July, average temperatures during the day range from 32 to 34 °C (90 to 93 °F) depending on location, with maxima commonly climbing over 35 °C (95 °F) during the frequent heat waves. Due to Madrid’s altitude and dry climate, diurnal ranges are often significant during the summer.
The highest recorded temperature was on 24 July 1995, at 42.2 °C (108.0 °F), and the lowest recorded temperature was on 16 January 1945 at −15.3 °C (4.5 °F). These records were registered at the airport, in the eastern side of the city. From 7 January to 9 January 2021, Madrid received the most snow in its recorded history since 1972; Spain’s meteorological agency AEMET reported between 50 and 60 centimetres (20 and 24 in) of accumulated snow in its weather stations within the city.
Precipitation is typically concentrated in the autumn and spring, and, together with Athens, which has similar annual precipitation, Madrid is the driest capital in Europe. It is particularly sparse during the summer, taking the form of about two showers and/or thunderstorms during the season.