Mendoza weather by month: climate, snow, what to wear and what's on each month

Mendoza has four clearly marked seasons and almost no rain: about 238 mm (9.4 in) a year, according to the 1991–2020 normals of Argentina's national weather service (SMN). January is the hottest month, with an average high of 32.8 °C (91 °F), and July the coldest, with an average low of 2.0 °C (36 °F). Dry summer heat runs from December to March, autumn turns golden in April and May, snow falls in the mountains from June to September (in the city, almost never) and spring brings the warm zonda wind from September to November. In 2027, the main show of the Vendimia harvest festival is on Saturday, March 6, and the sunset-party season runs from spring to the end of summer.

I've lived in Mendoza for over ten years, and the question I get most isn't "which winery", it's "what's it like in July?". This page answers that month by month, with average temperatures from Argentina's Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN), what to wear and what's on. 2027 dates appear only when they've been announced; everything else is "usually".

Mendoza average temperatures by month

1991–2020 normals at the Mendoza Aero station (SMN), in °C: average high, daily mean, average low, plus monthly rainfall. The whole year gets about 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain.

• January: 32.8 / 25.9 / 19.3 °C (91 / 79 / 67 °F) · 47 mm
• February: 31.0 / 24.1 / 17.8 °C (88 / 75 / 64 °F) · 41 mm
• March: 28.1 / 21.5 / 15.7 °C (83 / 71 / 60 °F) · 32 mm
• April: 23.3 / 16.5 / 10.8 °C (74 / 62 / 51 °F) · 19 mm
• May: 18.7 / 12.1 / 6.8 °C (66 / 54 / 44 °F) · 11 mm
• June: 15.9 / 8.7 / 3.1 °C (61 / 48 / 38 °F) · 6 mm
• July: 15.3 / 7.9 / 2.0 °C (60 / 46 / 36 °F) · 5 mm
• August: 18.6 / 10.8 / 4.3 °C (65 / 51 / 40 °F) · 8 mm
• September: 21.8 / 14.5 / 7.8 °C (71 / 58 / 46 °F) · 12 mm
• October: 25.7 / 18.7 / 11.9 °C (78 / 66 / 53 °F) · 11 mm
• November: 29.2 / 22.3 / 15.4 °C (85 / 72 / 60 °F) · 22 mm
• December: 32.0 / 25.1 / 18.1 °C (90 / 77 / 65 °F) · 25 mm

Two things the table doesn't show that change what you pack: the daily swing (afternoon to pre-dawn differs by 12 to 14 °C, depending on the month) and the mountains, where it's far colder than the city. In January it's 33 °C downtown and can be 5 °C at Aconcagua.

Mendoza in January: weather, what to do and what to wear

January is the hottest month, with an average high of 32.8 °C and a low of 19.3 °C (SMN, 1991–2020), and there's no snow except on the highest peaks. It's worth it if you want vines heavy with fruit, a lodge pool and sunset parties almost every weekend.

• Weather: dry heat, clear skies and the odd short summer storm. It's the rainiest month, and still only 47 mm.
• What to wear: light clothes by day, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat; a light jacket at night. For the Andes day trip, a proper coat even in January.
• What's on: peak summer season and Argentine holidays. This is when the famous wineries sell out: Catena Zapata, El Enemigo and Zuccardi need about 3 months' notice. Full party and sunset calendar in the vineyards and in Potrerillos; see Mendoza nightlife.
• Worth it? Yes, if you can take the heat and book early. Given the choice, I prefer February and March: same summer, harvest starting.

Mendoza in February: weather, Carnival and what to wear

February is still summer (31.0 °C average high, 17.8 °C low, SMN) and the grape harvest begins. It's a good month to watch the harvest happen without the crowds of the March festival.

• Weather: hot and dry, with nicer nights than January.
• What to wear: same as January. At wineries, closed comfortable shoes, because you walk the rows.
• What's on: harvest starts in the lower zones; in early February the city elects its own queen at the Vendimia de la Ciudad in Parque Cívico, a preview few tourists know. Carnival 2027 falls on February 8 and 9, a holiday in Argentina, and the Bendición de los Frutos, which opens the official Vendimia calendar, is usually the last weekend of the month (February 27 in 2027). More in Vendimia 2027 (in Portuguese).
• Worth it? Yes, and it's one of my favorite winery months: heat, ripe grapes and fewer people than January.

Mendoza in March: Vendimia, weather and what to wear

March is harvest-festival month and still warm: 28.1 °C average high, 15.7 °C low (SMN). The 2027 main show (Acto Central) is on Saturday, March 6, and the city fills up that week.

• Weather: late summer, warm days, cool nights. Little rain.
• What to wear: summer clothes by day and a light jacket for the night of the Acto Central, held in an open-air amphitheater.
• What's on: Vía Blanca de las Reinas on Friday, March 5, 2027; Carrusel on Saturday morning, March 6; Acto Central on Saturday night; repeat show on Sunday, March 7 (official schedule published August 2026). Stay downtown and you'll see the parades on foot. Easter 2027 is at the end of the month (Good Friday March 26, Easter Sunday March 28), next to Argentina's March 24 holiday, which usually fills Mendoza with Argentine and Chilean visitors.
• Worth it? Very, if you like festivals and accept hotels selling out early. If the trip is only about wineries, pick another week of March: the harvest continues and the city empties.

Mendoza in April: weather, autumn colors and what to wear

April is autumn: 23.3 °C average high, 10.8 °C low (SMN), no snow in the city. It's the month of gold and red vineyards, and for me the most beautiful of the year.

• Weather: pleasant days, cold mornings and nights. Almost no rain.
• What to wear: layers. T-shirt and trousers by day, a mid-season jacket and scarf at night. A sweater, boots and a leather jacket work day and night, including for wine tasting.
• What's on: end of harvest in the higher Uco Valley. Fewer people at wineries and better hotel rates than summer. Easter can fall in April in other years; in 2027 it's in March.
• Worth it? For wineries, it's my first choice. For snow, no: it can snow in the high Andes, but don't count on it.

Mendoza in May: weather, first snow and what to wear

The cold starts in May: 18.7 °C average high, 6.8 °C low (SMN). No snow in the city; in the high Andes the first heavy snowfall can arrive, but the snow parks aren't open yet.

• Weather: dry, sunny and cold in the morning. Short days.
• What to wear: a real coat for mornings and nights, layers by day. Gloves and a beanie for the mountains.
• What's on: low season, quiet wineries, fireplaces lit. The Mendoza International Marathon is usually in early May (race calendars list the 2027 edition for that period; confirm the official date with the organizers). Argentine holidays on May 1 and 25.
• Worth it? Yes, for wineries without heat or queues. For guaranteed snow, wait for June.

Mendoza in June: does it snow? Weather and what to wear

June is the start of winter and of the mountain snow season: 15.9 °C average high and 3.1 °C low in the city (SMN). It doesn't snow in the city; the snow is up Route 7 from Potrerillos and at the snow parks near Penitentes.

• Weather: cold and dry, clear skies most days. Near freezing before dawn.
• What to wear: winter jacket, base layer, beanie and gloves for the mountains. Downtown at midday you can take the coat off.
• What's on: in 2026 the Los Puquios snow park opened its season on June 12; the date changes every year with the snow. Wineries run year-round, and tasting by the fire is a program in itself. The Andes day trip goes in with a spare day, because the road closes in snowstorms.
• Worth it? Yes, if the idea is snow with wine. June has fewer people than July and better prices.

Mendoza in July: does it snow? Weather and what to wear

July is the coldest month (15.3 °C average high, 2.0 °C low, SMN) and the safest for mountain snow. It snows in the high Andes almost every week; in the city it's rare, and in 2026 the July cold wave brought snow to the Uco Valley and the south of the province before coming anywhere near the capital.

• Weather: dry cold. Sunny 15 °C days and sub-zero pre-dawns. In 2026 the Los Libertadores pass, the road to Chile, was closed by snow from July 14 to mid-August.
• What to wear: layers: base layer, fleece, windproof shell, waterproof boots for the snow, gloves and beanie. Plus a dry pair of shoes for the evening.
• What's on: Argentine winter school holidays (in Mendoza, July 6–17 in 2026; usually July in 2027 too) on top of Brazilian school holidays. Peak snow demand: Penitentes and Los Puquios packed on weekends. Argentine holiday on July 9. The rest of the snow calendar is in Mendoza Andes day trip.
• Worth it? Yes, for snow, for kids and for wineries with a fireplace. Book hotel and driver early: July fills up.

Mendoza in August: snow, weather and what to wear

August is still winter (18.6 °C average high, 4.3 °C low, SMN) and usually has the best snow of the season in the high Andes, with fewer people than July. Still no snow in the city.

• Weather: cold mornings, mild afternoons. August brings the first zonda days, the warm dry wind off the cordillera.
• What to wear: same as July in the mountains; one layer less in the city in the afternoon.
• What's on: end of Argentine holidays, snow parks open, the Chile pass subject to closures (in 2026 it reopened on August 18, trucks only at first). The San Martín holiday, August 17, is usually moved to make a long weekend. Winery calendars for summer start opening: Catena's opens every two months.
• Worth it? For snow, it's the month I recommend most: packed snow, a more predictable road and cheaper hotels than July.

Mendoza in September: weather, last snow and what to wear

September is the start of spring: 21.8 °C average high, 7.8 °C low (SMN). There's still snow in the high Andes, but the snow-park season ends late in the month (in 2026 Los Puquios closed on September 21).

• Weather: pleasant days, cold nights and the strongest zonda days of the year, which raise dust and push the temperature up suddenly.
• What to wear: layers again. A mid-season coat, something windproof for the zonda and sunglasses.
• What's on: budburst in the vineyards, few people, low-season prices. Chile's national holidays on September 18–19 bring Chileans over the pass if it's open. September and October are when I most recommend locking in bookings for December, January or Vendimia trips.
• Worth it? Yes, for quiet wineries with snowy peaks behind them. To play in the snow, go before mid-month.

Mendoza in October: weather, what's on and what to wear

October is full spring: 25.7 °C average high, 11.9 °C low (SMN), no snow except on the peaks. Good for fresh green vineyards, long days and still mid-season prices.

• Weather: dry and sunny, zonda some days.
• What to wear: trousers and a T-shirt by day, a light jacket at night. A dress or a shirt with a jacket covers the winery and dinner. Mid-season clothes with one warm layer for the evening.
• What's on: Argentine holiday on October 12, moved to make a long weekend, and the party pre-season: producers start announcing dates for November to March. Snow parks become spring parks.
• Worth it? Yes, and it's one of the most balanced months of the year: good weather, wineries open, no crowds.

Mendoza in November: weather, sunsets and what to wear

November is almost summer: 29.2 °C average high, 15.4 °C low (SMN). Worth it if you want warmth without January's crowds and the start of sunset-party season.

• Weather: hot by day, pleasant at night. A short storm is possible late in the month.
• What to wear: summer clothes and a light jacket for evenings in the vineyards, which cool off after sunset. For wine tasting: smart-casual and comfortable shoes.
• What's on: the electronic-music sunsets open in the Maipú and Luján vineyards and in the mountains; the season runs to March. Argentine holiday on November 20, usually moved to a Monday or Friday. Wineries in full season, with the famous ones asking 3 months.
• Worth it? Yes, especially to pair a winery by day with a party in the afternoon.

Mendoza in December: weather, parties and what to wear

December is summer (32.0 °C average high, 18.1 °C low, SMN) and the busiest month on the party scene. Worth it for green vineyards, long days and the New Year's calendar.

• Weather: dry heat, clear skies. Summer storms some late afternoons.
• What to wear: light clothes, sunscreen and a light jacket for parties, which run into the small hours. No flip-flops at night: door rules are in Mendoza nightlife.
• What's on: Hernán Cattáneo's Sunsetstrip is on December 5 and 6, 2026, in Potrerillos, and New Year's Eve 2026-27 has Solomun at the Teatro Griego; the calendar is in New Year's Eve in Mendoza (in Portuguese). Argentine holidays start late in the month. Lodging in Potrerillos sells out on party dates.
• Worth it? Yes, on one condition: book early. December, January and Vendimia week are the three times when everything fills up.

What is the best month to visit Mendoza?

It depends on what you want. Green vineyards, heat and harvest: December to March. Vendimia: the first week of March. Snow: June to September, peaking June to August. Golden autumn, no crowds, good prices: April and May. Living here, I'd pick April for wineries and August for snow.

What holds in any month: one wine region per day, the famous wineries about 3 months ahead, a Michelin-starred restaurant about 1 month ahead. The list is in best wineries in Mendoza, and where to sleep in each season in where to stay in Mendoza.

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Frequently asked questions

Does it snow in Mendoza, Argentina?
In the mountains, yes, from June to September, peaking June to August. In the city, almost never. To see snow, drive up Route 7 to Potrerillos, Penitentes and Puente del Inca, 1 to 3 hours from downtown.

What is the coldest month in Mendoza?
July, with an average high of 15.3 °C (60 °F) and a low of 2.0 °C (36 °F) in the city, per the SMN. June and August are close behind.

What should I wear wine tasting in Mendoza?
Smart-casual with comfortable closed shoes, because you walk the vineyard, plus a layer for the cellar and the evening. Sunscreen and a hat in summer, a real coat in winter.

When is Vendimia 2027?
The main show is on Saturday, March 6, 2027, with the Vía Blanca parade on Friday, March 5, the Carrusel on Saturday morning and the repeat show on Sunday, March 7.

Does Mendoza have a rainy season?
Not really: about 238 mm a year, mostly in short summer storms between December and March. The spring zonda wind is more disruptive than rain.

Sources

• Servicio Meteorológico Nacional — climate normals 1991–2020
• Wikipedia — Mendoza, Argentina: climate table for the Mendoza Aero station, SMN 1991–2020 normals
• MDZ — Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia 2027 schedule (Aug 15, 2026)
• Infozona — Argentina's 2027 holidays: Carnival February 8–9, Easter March 26–28 (official calendar pending)
• El Cronista — Mendoza winter school holidays 2026, July 6–17
• Los Andes — Los Puquios opens the 2026 snow season (June 10, 2026)
• Sitio Andino — when the snow centers close: Los Puquios ends on September 21 (Sept 16, 2026)
• Sitio Andino — July 2026 cold wave: snow in the Uco Valley and the south (July 13, 2026)
• Infraestructura Pública — Los Libertadores pass closed by snow in 2026, reopened August 18
• La Nación — Hernán Cattaneo in Mendoza: Sunsetstrip on December 5–6, 2026 (Aug 12, 2026)
• El Sol — Solomun returns to Mendoza for New Year's 2027 (Oct 14, 2026)
• Marathons.com — Mendoza International Marathon, 2027 edition listed for May (confirm with the organizers)
• Government of Argentina — Pasos Internacionales: Los Libertadores pass status