Most rain in North Macedonia falls in late autumn (October and November) and in spring (April and May), when transitional weather systems are more frequent. Summer is mostly dry and sunny, with occasional afternoon thunderstorms, and part of the winter precipitation at altitude falls as snow.
When is it rainiest?
North Macedonia has no pronounced "rainy season" like the tropics, but it does have wetter periods. Late autumn and spring are the rainiest, because fronts and rain-bearing systems pass through more often then.
Autumn (October and November)
Autumn is often the wettest. As the summer dryness gives way, rain becomes more frequent and longer-lasting, sometimes with several grey, rainy days in a row.
Spring (April and May)
Spring is the second rainy period. The weather is changeable, with alternating sunshine and the showers that feed the greenery.
Is summer dry?
Yes: summer is the driest part of the year. Days are mostly clear and warm, and when rain does come it is usually a short afternoon thunderstorm that passes quickly. Long, steady rain at the height of summer is rare.
These summer thunderstorms can be intense but local: one town can get a downpour while its neighbour stays dry.
Does it rain the same everywhere?
No. The terrain strongly shapes where the rain falls.
- West and the mountains: the western and mountain parts usually get more rain, because the mountains force air masses to rise and shed their moisture.
- East and the lowlands: the eastern and lowland areas, in the "rain shadow" of the mountains, are drier.
What falls in winter: rain or snow?
In winter, precipitation depends on elevation and temperature. In the warm lowlands it often falls as rain, while at altitude the same system delivers snow. That is how the mountains build up snow while the cities only get rain.
To know whether rain, thunder or a dry day awaits you, check the current forecast for your city, especially in the transitional autumn and spring months when the weather is most changeable.