Climate - La Paz (Bolivia)

In La Paz (or Chuqi Yapu in Aymara), there is an subtropical mountain climate in the central areas and at lower altitudes, while in the higher areas, we can say that there is a subpolar tundra climate, given that the temperature of the warmest month does not exceed 10 °C (50 °F), and therefore the trees cannot grow, even though the winter is not as cold as in the sub-polar areas.
The city, whose full name is Nuestra Señora de La Paz, is the capital of Bolivia and is located on the Andean plateau, at 16 degrees south latitude.
Daytime temperatures are stable throughout the year, while during the austral winter, from May to September, it gets cold at night, especially in the upper part of the city, where there are regularly frosts. However, the winter is dry and sunny, while during the austral summer, from December to March, the rains are very frequent, and sometimes can cause landslides.
At night, fog can form all year round, but especially in summer.
Although the winter is dry, sometimes it can even snow, as happened on July 4, 2015, more significantly in the upper part of La Paz.
La Paz is the highest capital in the world, however, the altitude of the city varies a lot, that is, from 3,200 to 4,300 meters (10,500 to 14,100 feet).



First let's see the average temperatures of the central part of the city, located at 3,650 meters (11,975 ft) above sea level.

In the vicinity of La Paz is the Cordillera Real, where the second and third highest mountains in Bolivia are located, Illimani, 6,438 meters (21,122 feet), and Ancohuma (or Janq'u Uma), 6,427 meters (21,085 ft).
About 50 km (30 mi) to the north-west is Lake Titicaca, whose shores are located at 3,800 meters (12,465 ft).
Let us now see the meteorological data recorded at the airport, which is located in the upper part, called "El Alto", at 4,000 meters (13,100 ft).

The average temperature of the coldest month (July) is of 5.1 °C (41.2 °F), that of the warmest month (December) is of 10.0 °C (50.0 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 560 millimeters (22 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 5 mm (0.2 in) in the driest months (June, July) to 120 mm (4.7 in) in the wettest one (January). Here is the average precipitation.
On average, there are around 2305 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

La Paz - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020
(January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December)

In January, the average temperature is of 9.5 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 4.2 °C (39.6 °F) and a maximum of 14.8 °C (58.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, in January 1993, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, in January 2016, it reached 21.4 °C (70.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 22 days.
On average, there are 180 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6 hours per day.
The average humidity is 75%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 kph).

In February, the average temperature is of 9.5 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 4.2 °C (39.5 °F) and a maximum of 14.9 °C (58.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, in February 1997, it dropped to -0.4 °C (31.3 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (65 °F). However, in February 2001, it reached 22.2 °C (72 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 17 days.
On average, there are 155 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 5.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 76%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 kph).

In March, the average temperature is of 9.2 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 3.4 °C (38.2 °F) and a maximum of 15.1 °C (59.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32.5 °F). However, in March 2001, it dropped to -2.8 °C (27 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (65 °F). However, in March 2002, it reached 25.2 °C (77.4 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 16 days.
On average, there are 150 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 74%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 kph).

In April, the average temperature is of 8.4 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 1.4 °C (34.5 °F) and a maximum of 15.3 °C (59.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, in April 2005, it dropped to -4.7 °C (23.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, in April 2006, it reached 23 °C (73.4 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
On average, there are 165 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 5.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 kph).

In May, the average temperature is of 6.7 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of -2 °C (28.4 °F) and a maximum of 15.3 °C (59.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20.5 °F). However, in May 1998, it dropped to -9.3 °C (15.3 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, in May 1997, it reached 21.5 °C (70.7 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 3 days.
On average, there are 230 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 48%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 kph).

In June, the average temperature is of 5.4 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of -3.8 °C (25.2 °F) and a maximum of 14.5 °C (58.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8 °C (17.5 °F). However, in June 1999, it dropped to -12.5 °C (9.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (62 °F). However, in June 1995, it reached 19 °C (66.2 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
On average, there are 240 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 8 hours per day.
The average humidity is 44%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 kph).

In July, the coldest month of the year, the average temperature is of 5.1 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of -4.1 °C (24.6 °F) and a maximum of 14.3 °C (57.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C (17 °F). However, in July 2020, it dropped to -12.6 °C (9.3 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, in July 2001, it reached 20 °C (68 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
On average, there are 235 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 44%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 kph).

In August, the average temperature is of 6.1 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of -3.1 °C (26.5 °F) and a maximum of 15.3 °C (59.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (18.5 °F). However, in August 1998, it dropped to -10 °C (14 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, in August 2017, it reached 20 °C (68 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 4 days.
On average, there are 225 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 47%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 kph).

In September, the average temperature is of 7.6 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of -0.7 °C (30.7 °F) and a maximum of 15.9 °C (60.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21.5 °F). However, in September 2018, it dropped to -9.3 °C (15.3 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, in September 2016, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
On average, there are 190 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 54%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 kph).

In October, the average temperature is of 9.0 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 1.5 °C (34.6 °F) and a maximum of 16.5 °C (61.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (27 °F). However, in October 2017, it dropped to -5.4 °C (22.3 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, in October 2019, it reached 21 °C (69.8 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 11 days.
On average, there are 180 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6 hours per day.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 kph).

In November, the average temperature is of 9.8 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 2.4 °C (36.4 °F) and a maximum of 17.2 °C (63 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29.5 °F). However, in November 1998, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (68.5 °F). However, in November 2000, it reached 24.3 °C (75.7 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 13 days.
On average, there are 170 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 5.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 kph).

In December, the average temperature is of 10.0 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 3.8 °C (38.8 °F) and a maximum of 16.3 °C (61.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33 °F). However, in December 1995, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). However, in December 1997, it reached 21.8 °C (71.2 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 17 days.
On average, there are 180 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6 hours per day.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 kph).