Gdańsk has a Baltic climate: cool, changeable, rarely extreme. Summers are pleasant rather than hot, winters are grey and raw rather than bitterly cold, and the thing that varies most through the year is not the temperature but the daylight, from about seven hours in December to seventeen in June. This page gives the official monthly averages in one table, then explains what they mean for packing, swimming and choosing when to come.
| Warmest months | July and August: average high 22.6 / 22.9°C |
|---|---|
| Coldest month | January: average high 1.7°C, low -3.3°C |
| Yearly precipitation | About 571 mm over about 170 days |
| Wettest / driest | July (about 79 mm) / February (about 24 mm) |
| Sunshine | About 1,726 hours a year; June sunniest, December darkest |
| Sea temperature | About 3°C in winter, 19 to 20°C in July and August |
| Daylight | About 7 h 20 min in late December, 17 h 10 min in late June |
Key takeaways
- IMGW 1991–2020 normals: average highs from 1.7°C in January to 22.9°C in August
- Gdańsk is grey more than wet: about 571 mm a year, but rain or snow on around 170 days
- The sea is only swimmable from about July to early September, at 19 to 20°C
- Daylight swings from about 7 hours in December to 17 in June
- September is the best all-round month; May and June are the sunniest
- Pack a waterproof layer in every month
In this guide
Gdańsk weather by month: the table
Temperatures, precipitation, rainy days and sunshine are the official IMGW climate normals for 1991 to 2020, published by Poland's Institute of Meteorology and Water Management. Sea temperatures are average monthly water temperatures for Gdańsk from seatemperature.net, which is a historical-data site rather than an official monitoring network, so treat them as a guide. Daylight is for the 15th of each month, calculated for the city's coordinates.
| Month | Avg high °C | Avg low °C | Rain mm | Days with rain/snow | Sunshine h | Sea °C | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1.7 | −3.3 | 28 | 17 | 39 | 3 | 7 h 50 |
| February | 2.9 | −2.7 | 24 | 14 | 70 | 3 | 9 h 45 |
| March | 6.6 | −0.4 | 28 | 14 | 134 | 3 | 11 h 45 |
| April | 12.1 | 3.6 | 32 | 11 | 163 | 6 | 14 h 00 |
| May | 16.8 | 8.1 | 53 | 13 | 244 | 10 | 16 h 00 |
| June | 20.4 | 11.6 | 59 | 14 | 259 | 15 | 17 h 10 |
| July | 22.6 | 14.2 | 79 | 13 | 236 | 19 | 16 h 45 |
| August | 22.9 | 13.9 | 70 | 14 | 225 | 20 | 15 h 00 |
| September | 18.5 | 10.4 | 64 | 12 | 174 | 17 | 12 h 50 |
| October | 12.7 | 5.8 | 55 | 15 | 105 | 13 | 10 h 40 |
| November | 6.7 | 1.9 | 43 | 16 | 45 | 10 | 8 h 35 |
| December | 3.1 | −1.6 | 36 | 18 | 32 | 6 | 7 h 20 |
Two things stand out. First, the range is narrower than inland Poland: the Baltic keeps winters milder and summers cooler than in Warsaw or Kraków. Second, the year total is only about 571 mm of precipitation, which is modest, but it is spread over about 170 days. Gdańsk is not especially wet; it is often grey. "Days with rain/snow" counts any day with at least 0.1 mm, so many of them are just a passing shower.
What is the weather like in each season?
Winter: December to February
Highs of 2 to 3°C, lows of around -2 to -3°C, and very little sun: December averages about 32 hours of sunshine for the whole month and January about 39. Snow comes and goes rather than lying for weeks, and the wind off the bay is the real cold. Short days are the bigger constraint, with sunset around 15:20 near the solstice. Everything indoors stays open; see Gdańsk in winter and Gdańsk in December.
Spring: March to May
March is still winter for much of its length. Spring arrives fast in April (highs of about 12°C) and properly in May (about 17°C), which is also one of the sunniest months, with about 244 hours of sunshine. The sea stays cold, around 6 to 10°C. Details in Gdańsk in spring.
Summer: June to August
Highs of 20 to 23°C, lows of 12 to 14°C and up to 17 hours of daylight. July and August are both the warmest and the wettest months, with about 79 mm and 70 mm, mostly as short heavy showers and thunderstorms rather than grey days. The sea reaches about 19 to 20°C in July and August. Hot spells above 30°C happen but are not the norm. More in Gdańsk in summer.
Autumn: September to November
September is mild, around 18 to 19°C by day, with the sea still about 17°C. October drops to about 13°C and brings the colours; November is dark, damp and around 7°C, with only about 45 hours of sun. Our autumn guide has what to do.
What is the weather like in Gdańsk in September?
September is our favourite month to recommend. The IMGW normals give an average high of 18.5°C and a low of 10.4°C, about 174 hours of sunshine and nearly 13 hours of daylight in mid-month. It is not dry, with about 65 mm of rain on roughly 12 days, so pack a light waterproof. The sea averages around 17°C, cool but swimmable for the determined in the first half of the month, and the summer crowds have gone.
What is Gdańsk like in March?
Cold and changeable. March averages a high of 6.6°C and a low of -0.4°C, so frost at night is normal and sleet is possible. The light is the good news: daylight grows from about 10.5 to over 12.5 hours across the month, and March averages about 134 hours of sunshine, almost double February. Dress for winter, plan for museums and city walks, and enjoy low prices. In 2027 Easter falls on 28 March, which brings closures on the Sunday and Monday.
When is the sea warm enough to swim?
Realistically from early July to early September, when the water in the Gulf of Gdańsk averages about 19 to 20°C. In June it is around 15°C and in September about 17°C. Lifeguards work at Gdańsk's main beaches, including Brzeźno, Jelitkowo and Stogi, during the summer bathing season; the city publishes the exact dates each year. Outside the season the beaches are for walking. See our beaches guide.
What should I pack for Gdańsk?
Whatever the month, bring a waterproof layer and comfortable shoes for stone pavements. Beyond that:
- November to March: a warm, windproof and waterproof coat, hat, gloves and a scarf, and shoes with grip for icy pavements. Thermal layers if you plan to stand at the Christmas market or walk the beach.
- April, May and October: layers. A day can go from 5°C at breakfast to 15°C in the sun and back, so a light down jacket or fleece plus a rain shell is the right kit.
- June to September: summer clothes plus a sweater for the evenings and the wind on the pier, an umbrella or rain jacket for thunderstorms, swimwear and sun cream. The sea breeze hides how strong the sun is in June.
Whatever the forecast, a rainy-day plan costs nothing to have.
What is the best month for what?
- Best all-round: September, then May and June. Mild, long days, everything open.
- Beach and swimming: mid July to the end of August.
- Longest days: June, with about 17 hours of daylight around the solstice.
- Christmas market: 20 November to 23 December in 2026.
- Sunniest: May and June, each with about 240 to 260 hours of sunshine.
- Lowest prices and fewest people: late January to mid March.
- Autumn colour: October, especially in Oliwa Park.
For crowds, events and prices month by month, see our best time to visit Gdańsk guide.
Arriving in bad weather
From Gdańsk Airport, bus 210 runs to the main station in about 40 minutes for a 4.80 zł single ticket, and the train goes via Gdańsk Wrzeszcz. If you land in sleet with children and suitcases, a ShuttleHero airport transfer to the city centre is €30 for a car of 1 to 3 people or €45 for a van of 4 to 8, fixed per vehicle, with 60 minutes of free waiting after landing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the warmest month in Gdańsk?
July and August are the warmest months, with average highs of 22.6°C and 22.9°C and average lows of about 14°C, according to IMGW 1991 to 2020 climate normals. August also has the warmest sea, at around 20°C.
What is the coldest month in Gdańsk?
January, with an average high of 1.7°C and an average low of -3.3°C (IMGW 1991 to 2020). February is almost as cold, with an average low of -2.7°C.
What is the weather like in Gdańsk in September?
Mild and fairly bright: an average high of 18.5°C, an average low of 10.4°C, about 174 hours of sunshine and about 65 mm of rain over roughly 12 days. The sea averages about 17°C.
What is Gdańsk like in March?
Still wintry. March averages a high of 6.6°C and a low of -0.4°C, so night frost is normal, but sunshine almost doubles compared with February to about 134 hours and daylight passes 12 hours by the end of the month.
Does it rain a lot in Gdańsk?
Not in total: the yearly average is about 571 mm. But it is spread over about 170 days with at least 0.1 mm, so showers and drizzle are common. July is the wettest month at about 79 mm, February the driest at about 24 mm.
When can you swim in the sea in Gdańsk?
From early July to early September, when the water averages about 19 to 20°C. Lifeguards work at the main city beaches during the summer bathing season, whose exact dates the city publishes each year.
Does it snow in Gdańsk?
Yes, mostly between December and March, but snow on the coast usually comes and goes rather than lying for weeks, and a white Christmas is not guaranteed.