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Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia Weather by Month and Climate Averages
Monthly normals · Rain · Snow
Sunshine · Freeze dates · Records · Best time to visit
What is the weather like in Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia?
Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia gets 814 mm of precipitation a year over about 179 rainy days. July is the warmest month (average high 24°C) and February the coldest (average low 0°C).
Oceanic climate
Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia has warm summers and chilly winters. Daytime highs range from about 6°C in January to 24°C in July. July is usually the wettest month. The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to June and August to September, when daytime highs sit near 21°C.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec–Feb | 1° | 6° |
| Spring | Mar–May | 5° | 15° |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | 12° | 23° |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | 7° | 14° |
How much rain does Gelsenkirchen get?
Gelsenkirchen gets 814 mm of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 179 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 80% of Germany.
July is the wettest month, with 94 mm. April is the driest, with 38 mm. December has the most rainy days, about 19.
The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 18 days, to May 22, 2025.
From October 2025 to September 2026 Gelsenkirchen got 627 mm of rain, against a normal of 814 mm for those months. May 2026 had the most, with 115 mm.
Gelsenkirchen weather by month
Gelsenkirchen weather in January
In January, Gelsenkirchen averages a high of 6°C and a low of 1°C. It gets 74 mm of precipitation over about 17 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 21% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 17°C (2023) and the record low is -21°C (2009).
Gelsenkirchen weather in February
In February, Gelsenkirchen averages a high of 6°C and a low of 0°C. It gets 46 mm of precipitation over about 15 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 25% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 20°C (2026) and the record low is -16°C (1986).
Gelsenkirchen weather in March
In March, Gelsenkirchen averages a high of 11°C and a low of 2°C. It gets 53 mm of precipitation over about 14 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 37% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 24°C (2017) and the record low is -12°C (2013).
Gelsenkirchen weather in April
In April, Gelsenkirchen averages a high of 15°C and a low of 4°C. It gets 38 mm of precipitation over about 13 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 39% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 28°C (2018) and the record low is -6°C (2013).
Gelsenkirchen weather in May
In May, Gelsenkirchen averages a high of 19°C and a low of 8°C. It gets 52 mm of precipitation over about 13 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 37% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 32°C (2017) and the record low is -2°C (2011). May is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Gelsenkirchen weather in June
In June, Gelsenkirchen averages a high of 22°C and a low of 11°C. It gets 79 mm of precipitation over about 14 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 40% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 38°C (2026) and the record low is 2°C (2009). June is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Gelsenkirchen weather in July
In July, Gelsenkirchen averages a high of 24°C and a low of 13°C. It gets 94 mm of precipitation over about 15 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 34% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 37°C (2025) and the record low is 5°C (2015).
Gelsenkirchen weather in August
In August, Gelsenkirchen averages a high of 23°C and a low of 13°C. It gets 84 mm of precipitation over about 15 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 39% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 37°C (2018) and the record low is 6°C (2016). August is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Gelsenkirchen weather in September
In September, Gelsenkirchen averages a high of 20°C and a low of 10°C. It gets 66 mm of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 39% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 33°C (2013) and the record low is 1°C (2018). September is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Gelsenkirchen weather in October
In October, Gelsenkirchen averages a high of 14°C and a low of 7°C. It gets 63 mm of precipitation over about 15 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 25% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 27°C (1983) and the record low is -4°C (2012).
Gelsenkirchen weather in November
In November, Gelsenkirchen averages a high of 9°C and a low of 4°C. It gets 79 mm of precipitation over about 17 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 26% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 21°C (1984) and the record low is -7°C (1988).
Gelsenkirchen weather in December
In December, Gelsenkirchen averages a high of 7°C and a low of 2°C. It gets 86 mm of precipitation over about 19 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 17% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 17°C (2022) and the record low is -17°C (2009).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Gelsenkirchen
June is the sunniest month in Gelsenkirchen, with estimated sunshine of 40% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. December is the cloudiest, at 17%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 32% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Gelsenkirchen is cloudier than 54% of Germany.
Humidity peaks in December at 88% and is lowest in June at 65%.
Gelsenkirchen has about 4 days a year above 32°C. Gelsenkirchen is cooler than 56% of Germany.
First and last freeze in Gelsenkirchen
The first fall freeze in Gelsenkirchen typically comes around November 7, and the last spring freeze around April 15. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 206 days.
Gelsenkirchen weather records
These records cover BOCHUM during 1979–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Gelsenkirchen station is 38°C, on June 26, 2026. The coldest is -21°C, on January 7, 2009.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 74 mm of precipitation, on June 20, 2013.
47 all-time records have been set at the station since 1979.
The best time to visit Gelsenkirchen
The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to June and August to September, when daytime highs sit near 21°C.
Winter (December–February) is chilly, with average highs around 6°C and lows near 1°C.
Spring (March–May) is mild, with average highs around 15°C and lows near 5°C.
Summer (June–August) is warm, with average highs around 23°C and lows near 12°C. It can feel humid.
Autumn (September–November) is mild, with average highs around 15°C and lows near 7°C.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1° | 6° | 74 mm | 17 | 86% | 21% | 17° | -21° |
| February | 0° | 6° | 46 mm | 15 | 80% | 25% | 20° | -16° |
| March | 2° | 11° | 53 mm | 14 | 70% | 37% | 24° | -12° |
| April | 4° | 15° | 38 mm | 13 | 66% | 39% | 28° | -6° |
| May | 8° | 19° | 52 mm | 13 | 68% | 37% | 32° | -2° |
| June | 11° | 22° | 79 mm | 14 | 65% | 40% | 38° | 2° |
| July | 13° | 24° | 94 mm | 15 | 69% | 34% | 37° | 5° |
| August | 13° | 23° | 84 mm | 15 | 70% | 39% | 37° | 6° |
| September | 10° | 20° | 66 mm | 12 | 75% | 39% | 33° | 1° |
| October | 7° | 14° | 63 mm | 15 | 83% | 25% | 27° | -4° |
| November | 4° | 9° | 79 mm | 17 | 86% | 26% | 21° | -7° |
| December | 2° | 7° | 86 mm | 19 | 88% | 17% | 17° | -17° |
Station: BOCHUM, 12 km from the city. Temperature normal baseline: 1991–2020, calculated from available NOAA GHCN-Daily observations. Available station history: 1979–2026; record values refer to this station and period, not the entire city’s history. Precipitation includes rain and the water equivalent of frozen precipitation; snowfall depth is shown separately when available. Sources and methods
From ERA5 reanalysis. Sunshine is estimated from cloud cover.
Gelsenkirchen climate questions
How much rain does Gelsenkirchen get?
Gelsenkirchen gets 814 mm of precipitation in an average year, over about 179 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Gelsenkirchen?
July is the wettest month in Gelsenkirchen, with 94 mm. April is the driest, with 38 mm.
How many rainy days does Gelsenkirchen have a year?
Gelsenkirchen has about 179 days with measurable rain in an average year. December has the most, about 19.
What is the hottest month in Gelsenkirchen?
July is the warmest month in Gelsenkirchen, with an average high of 24°C.
What is the coldest month in Gelsenkirchen?
February is the coldest month in Gelsenkirchen, with an average low of 0°C.
What is the record high temperature in Gelsenkirchen?
Within the available 1979–2026 station history, the record high at the Gelsenkirchen station is 38°C, set on June 26, 2026. The record low is -21°C, on January 7, 2009.
What is the sunniest month in Gelsenkirchen?
June is the sunniest month in Gelsenkirchen, with estimated sunshine of 40% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. December is the cloudiest.
When is the first frost in Gelsenkirchen?
The first fall freeze in Gelsenkirchen typically comes around November 7. The last spring freeze is around April 15.
What is the best time to visit Gelsenkirchen?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to June and August to September, when daytime highs sit near 21°C.