Constantine Weather

Perched in the northeast of Algeria about 85 km (53 mi) south from the Mediterranean and at an altitude over 650 meters (2,130 feet), Constantine is endowed with the characteristics of both Mediterranean and continental climates. It experiences four distinct seasons, including burning hot and dry summer from June to August, cold and rainy winter from December to next February as well as generally pleasant transitional seasons of spring and autumn. Therefore, the best time to visit Constantine is definitely the two comfortable seasons lasting from March to May and September to November respectively. 

However, sitting at a high land surrounded by valleys, Constantine weather is rather changeable and unpredictable. Strong winds could blow across the city from time to time.

Temperature

Constantine sees large temperature variations throughout the year as well as between day and night. In summer, the daily highs seldomly dip below 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), but that in winter are usually around 15°C (59°F) even lower than 10°C (50°F). The diurnal temperature differences are also significant, exceed 10°C (50°F) in most days. Besides, the temperatures fluctuate drastically, especially true in those transitional months between two seasons.

What is the Coldest Month in Constantine?

In Constantine, the coldest month is definitely January, but witnessing no unbearable coldness. In this month, the daytime high temperatures usually range from 10 to 16°C (50 - 61°F) with occasional cold air bringing the degrees to around 5°C (41°F), while the low values are usually at about 2 - 8°C (36 - 46°F), but below freezing is also possible. When it rains and blows though lightly, the apparent temperatures would further drop. Though it is not bitterly cold, warm accessories and winter clothes are still in need.

What is the Hottest Month in Constantine?

July is typically the hottest month in Constantine in a year as its high degrees hover around 30 - 42°C (86 - 108°F), mostly over 35°C (95°F) and the night lows still keep high in the range of 22 - 27°C (72 - 81°F), even reaching 30°C (86°F) sometimes. Therefore, Constantine climate in July is so blazing hot that you would keep sweating if without air conditioners even at night. During the first and last several days, relatively low daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F) and nighttime ones around 17°C (63°F) might occur, giving visitors no sufferings for outdoor visits.

Precipitation

Lying in the transitional zone from seashore to arid areas, Constantine receives an annual precipitation about 485 mm (19.09 in) on average, a comparatively moderate level worldwide. But influenced by Mediterranean climate, the precipitation is unevenly distributed across the year and local dry and rainy seasons are obvious. The dry season lasts three months from June to August with the mean monthly rainfall no more than 20 mm (0.79 in). The rainy season usually starts in November and ends in next March, but in some years, the impact might linger to May. In a year, the rainiest month tend to be January and the driest undeniably July.

Generally, the rainfall frequency is high but the intensity is low. Except dry season, other months experience about one third of a month with some precipitation and consecutive rainy days might happen. Mostly, it falls as light and moderate rain. Snow drizzles also can be seen in winter, but it is rare especially in recent years affected by global warming.

Daytime / Sunlight

Receiving sunlight totaling over 2,700 hours in a year, Constantine is blessed with abundant sunshine. Due to little rainfall and long daytime, daily sunlight duration climbs to the highest point of 11.5 hours on average in July, while the bottom about 5 hours appears in December and January when rainy winter arrives and daylength keeps decreasing. Due to the high altitude, the sunshine intensity is pretty high and visitors need to take sunscreen measures in different degrees for nearly half of a year. Much attention should be paid to summer when the ultraviolet rays become the strongest and cloud cover is thin.

Best Time to Visit Constantine

It is recommended to visit Constantine in spring and autumn, specifically, March to May and September to November, because the favorable weather could bring visitors better travel experiences. First and foremost, temperatures during the two periods are relatively agreeable with the daytime highs usually in the range of 18 - 28°C (64 - 82°F), thus suitable for hiking in Constantine to admire its spectacular landscape of cliffs and visit historical bridges connecting the city. Secondly, it is free from the bothering of scorching sunshine in summer and much cold rain in winter. So, you can conduct a mentally and physically leisure trip without worrying or carrying too much. In addition, the monthly humidity in spring and autumn is relatively pleasant with most days in the moderate range of 60% to 70%. Extreme dryness and clamminess could be hardly felt.

Constantine Weather by Month

Spring from March to May

Weather Overview

The climate of Constantine shifts gradually from cool to warm in spring, so the temperatures span a wide range of 18 - 30°C (64 - 86°F) during daytime and 8 - 17°C (46 - 63°F) at night. But the trend is rather fluctuating and temperatures beyond the normal range might occur in the transitional months of March and May when high degrees below 15°C (59°F) and around 32°C (90°F) could be seen in some years. 

The precipitation also records the similar fluctuations. The average rainfall per month keeps decreasing from 55 mm (2.17 in) in March to about 40 mm (1.57 in) in May, but the total amount remains in moderate level. While, in certain years, that in May could rise again to March’s level. As the precipitation is distributed over 7 - 10 days, every rainy day receives only a little in form of drizzles or brief showers, thus resulting in a few terrible impacts on travel schedules.   

What to Pack: 

Clothes: Daily ones like long-sleeved shirts, hoodies, knit wear matched with thick jackets, trench coats for upper body as well as casual pants for the bottoms. In late May, T-shirts might become necessary.
Shoes: Any comfortable sneakers or flats.
Others: Rainproof items are suggested.

What to Note: 

1. The two locally most important religious festivals, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, are expected to fall in early March and middle May respectively in 2027. Algerian people enjoy three days off when a short travel peak might be triggered. If your schedule meets with the related holidays, be sure to book air flights and hotels in advance.  

2. It is predicted that early March in 2027 still belong to Ramadan period when visitors would be largely limited by many rules. So, it is advised to avoid this period.

Summer from June to August 

Weather Overview

Summer is the hottest and direst period in Constantine across the year. In most days, the daytime high degrees hovers over 35°C (95°F) and those beyond 40°C (104°F) are commonly seen in the hottest July. It is burning hot so that outdoor sightseeing though for a short time would get you drenched in sweat. Even at night, the low values usually lie between 22 and 27°C (72 - 81°F), a level that you can hardly fall asleep if without air conditioners; sometimes, min temperatures below 20°C (68°F) take places in early June. 

In terms of the precipitation, July receives the yearly lowest averaging 11 mm (0.43 in) from 2 days. For other months, the precipitation is scarce as well, less than 20 mm (0.79 in) and short-term drizzle is the most common form. It is safe to say that visitors can ignore the influence of rainfall when travelling to Constantine in summer. Meanwhile, the humidity drops to the relatively dry level around 45% - 50%, probably causing some unpleasant feelings for visitors.

What to Pack: 

Clothes: Bring quick-dry summer clothes of light colors, such as T-shirts, light pants, shorts and dress. Prepare thin shirts, arm-cooling sleeves or sunscreen coats to prevent sunburn. 
Shoes: Breathable sneakers or sport scandals.
Others: Sunscreen products like parasols, sunglasses and sunblock as well as mosquito repellent pastes or spray. Also, you may need lotion in this dry season.

What to Note: 

1. In this season with highest temperatures, strongest sunshine and lowest rainfall of the year, visitors should pay close attention to sun protection and water replenishing when conducting outdoor visits. You can carry a bottle of water as well as heatstroke drugs with you. 

2. As scorching hot as Constantine’s summer is, girls had better avoid too revealing clothes in this Muslim country including camisole dress and skits so as to show respect.

Autumn from September to November

Weather Overview

Constantine weather in autumn differs somehow during the three months. In September, it remains a little hot with high temperatures around 32°C (90°F), but the night is pleasant with low values around 20°C (68°F). Warm days and chilly nights start to appear since the late September and last for the whole October as the daily highs stay 22 - 26°C (72 - 79°F) and lows 11 - 16°C (52 - 61°F). By the last month of autumn, the high degrees during daytime progressively decline to around 15°C (59°F) even lower, and people feel slightly cold by the end of November.  

On the contrary, the precipitation tends to rise little by little during autumn and Constantine enters local rainy season in November with monthly rainfall around 55 mm (2.17 in). Good news is that the rain often has a short duration and the rainbow is highly possible thereafter. 

What to Pack: 

Clothes: Summer pants and T-shirts for early autumn, topped with casual jackets for sudden temperature drops. Then, thicker clothes including shirts, hoodies, jeans and trench coats become essential. 
Shoes: Choose from sport shoes and prepare breathable ones for September.
Others: Both sunscreen and rainproof products are important in different periods of autumn.

Winter from December to February

Weather Overview

Winter in Constantine can be described as cold for both daytime and nighttime, but not bitterly. The max degrees regularly range from 11 to 18°C (52 - 64°F), making outdoor visits a bit suffering, especially when it rains and blows; the min ones sway between 3 and 8°C (37 - 46°F). In coldest January, the temperatures at daytime could drop below 8°C (46°F) and at night around 0°C (32°F), so heating facilities are necessary. 

Besides, Constantine climate is rainy and humid during winter, the local rainy season. On average, December has the precipitation of 60 mm(2.36in), the highest level of the year, so as the January, but January experiences more rainy time about 12 days. During rainy season, both persistent rain for the whole day and intermittent rain for consecutive days could be seen. And low, moderate and heavy rain is all possible. In winter, it might snow as well, but only for a brief time in rare occasions. The total amount is low and leaves just a thin cover on trees, rooves and mountains which melts soon. 

What to Pack:

Clothes: For tops, sweaters, knit wear, hoodies and underlying shirts are good choices for the inner layer, while the outer coats could be woolen coats, 3-in-1 windbreakers and down coats. Pack fleece-lined jeans, thick jacket pants or woolen sweatpants for the lower body.
Shoes: Non-slippery and waterproof shoes are preferred, for example, walking boots and leather sneakers.
Others: Raingear like umbrella or raincoat as well as warm accessories like hats and scarves.

What to Note: 

1. In this city built in cliffs, there are many winding roads along mountains and it turns somewhat dangerous to drive on in rainy days. Under this situation, an experienced local driver is a better choice. 

2. Ramadan in 2027 is predicted to start around middle February. Visitors are suggested to avoid this period since the local timetable is largely changed and almost no restaurants are in service as usual in this month of fast.