Weather and climate in La Quiaca (Argentina)

In La Quiaca there is a subtropical arid mountain climate, with a rainy period from December to March, the austral summer, and rare rains in the rest of the year.
According to the Köppen classification, we are in the cold semi-arid or steppe climate zone (BSk).
The small city is located in the extreme northwest of Argentina, at 22 degrees north latitude, in the province of Jujuy, at 3,450 meters (11,300 feet) above sea level. We are on the border with Bolivia, beyond which lies the city of Villazón. The northern part of the Andes is characterized by an arid climate and strong temperature variations between night and day, especially in winter.
About 40 km (25 miles) to the southwest, at 3,700 meters (12,000 ft) above sea level, is the natural monument Laguna de los Pozuelos, which includes a small salt lake. About 200 km (125 mi) northwest, in Bolivia, lies the Salar de Uyuni, a large salt lake.



From June to August, in the austral winter, it almost never rains, however, it is possible to occasionally observe a light snowfall, in the coldest hours of the day. At night, the temperature regularly drops below freezing, and in the coldest nights, it can drop to -10/-12 °C (10/14 °F). In June 2022, the temperature dropped to -13 °C (8.5 °F), while the coldest record, set in the past, is -15 °C (5 °F). However, even after the coldest nights, during the day the maximum exceeds 10 °C (50 °F).
Daytime temperatures are much more stable than nighttime ones, although they increase a little in spring, from mid-August to November. Both in spring and summer, the temperature can sometimes reach 27/28 °C (81/82 °F). In February 1998 it reached 28.8 °C (83.8 °F).
The sun shines often, and with 3,400 hours of sunshine a year, La Quiaca is probably the sunniest place in Argentina. Although the air never gets very hot, the tropical mountain sun is very strong, and requires appropriate protection.

Best Time

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In theory, you can visit La Quiaca and the Laguna de los Pozuelos all year round. Summer, from December to February, is the mildest period, but it is also the rainiest, with a peak in January, and when it rains, the roads can become muddy, making travel more difficult. Winter is very dry, but at night the temperature drops below freezing, sometimes by a lot.
You can then choose the intermediate seasons, in particular, from late March to late April and from September to mid-November.

La Quiaca - Climate data

The average temperature of the coldest month (July) is of 5.0 °C (40.9 °F), that of the warmest month (December) is of 14.8 °C (58.6 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 330 millimeters (13 inches) per year: it is therefore scarce. It ranges from 0 mm (0 in) in the driest months (June, July) to 102 mm (4 in) in the wettest one (January). Here is the average precipitation.
There are on average around 3410 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

La Quiaca - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.2 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 7.7 °C (45.9 °F) and a maximum of 20.6 °C (69.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.5 °C (36.5 °F) in January 2013.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 27.7 °C (81.9 °F) in January 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 102 mm (4 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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February is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 7.6 °C (45.7 °F) and a maximum of 20.4 °C (68.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40 °F). However, it dropped to 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) in February 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77 °F). However, it reached 28.8 °C (83.8 °F) in February 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 68 mm (2.7 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).

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March is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 13.6 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 6.6 °C (43.9 °F) and a maximum of 20.6 °C (69.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1 °C (30.2 °F) in March 2014.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 26.8 °C (80.2 °F) in March 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 48 mm (1.9 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 55%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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April is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 11.7 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 3.1 °C (37.6 °F) and a maximum of 20.3 °C (68.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -5.4 °C (22.3 °F) in April 2017.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 25.5 °C (77.9 °F) in April 2005.
Precipitation amounts to only 7 mm (0.3 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 83% of the time.
The average humidity is 40%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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May is generally a quite mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 7.6 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of -2.5 °C (27.5 °F) and a maximum of 17.8 °C (64 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (19 °F). However, it dropped to -10.2 °C (13.6 °F) in May 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, it reached 23.3 °C (73.9 °F) in May 2016.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 87% of the time.
The average humidity is 27%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).

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June is generally a quite cold month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 5.3 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of -5.7 °C (21.7 °F) and a maximum of 16.3 °C (61.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -9.5 °C (15.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12.2 °C (10 °F) in June 1994.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). However, it reached 22.4 °C (72.3 °F) in June 2015.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 88% of the time.
The average humidity is 23%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (3 mph).

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July, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite cold month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 5.0 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of -6.2 °C (20.8 °F) and a maximum of 16.1 °C (61 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -10.5 °C (13 °F). However, it dropped to -12 °C (10.4 °F) in July 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (69 °F). However, it reached 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) in July 2010.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 88% of the time.
The average humidity is 21%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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August is generally a quite mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 7 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of -4 °C (24.8 °F) and a maximum of 18 °C (64.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -9 °C (16 °F). However, it dropped to -11.2 °C (11.8 °F) in August 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it reached 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) in August 2010.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 86% of the time.
The average humidity is 20%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).

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September is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 9.8 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of -0.4 °C (31.3 °F) and a maximum of 20 °C (68 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (22 °F). However, it dropped to -8.8 °C (16.2 °F) in September 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 27.2 °C (81 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to only 4 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 81% of the time.
The average humidity is 27%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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October is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 12.5 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 3.3 °C (37.9 °F) and a maximum of 21.7 °C (71.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.8 °C (23.4 °F) in October 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 27.3 °C (81.1 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 14 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
The average humidity is 37%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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November is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 14 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 5.5 °C (41.9 °F) and a maximum of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (34 °F). However, it dropped to -2 °C (28.4 °F) in November 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 28.5 °C (83.3 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 22 mm (0.9 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 77% of the time.
The average humidity is 43%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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December is generally a very mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 14.8 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 7.3 °C (45.1 °F) and a maximum of 22.2 °C (72 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in December 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 28.3 °C (82.9 °F) in December 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 63 mm (2.5 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes. December 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 53%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).