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 August, it gets cold at night, especially in the upper part of the city, where there are regularly frosts, and sometimes the temperature can even drop below -10 °C (14 °F). 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).

Best Time

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The best time to visit La Paz is from April to October. Winter, from May to August, is dry and sunny, although it gets cold at night. In April, September and October, the rains are a little more frequent, but nights are a little milder.

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).

La Paz - Climate data

In La Paz, 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.
In La Paz, 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.
In La Paz, there are on average around 2305 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

La Paz - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in La Paz is usually mild. 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, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in January 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it reached 21.4 °C (70.5 °F) in January 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 22 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In February, the weather in La Paz is usually mild. 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, it dropped to -0.4 °C (31.3 °F) in February 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 22.2 °C (72 °F) in February 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In March, the weather in La Paz is usually mild. 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, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.8 °C (27 °F) in March 2001.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 25.2 °C (77.4 °F) in March 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In April, the weather in La Paz is usually quite mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. 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, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.7 °C (23.5 °F) in April 2005.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it reached 23 °C (73.4 °F) in April 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In May, the weather in La Paz is usually quite mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. 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, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9.3 °C (15.3 °F) in May 1998.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it reached 21.5 °C (70.7 °F) in May 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 48%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In June, the weather in La Paz is usually quite cold. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. 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, the temperature usually drops to around -8 °C (17.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12.5 °C (9.5 °F) in June 1999.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (62 °F). However, it reached 19 °C (66.2 °F) in June 1995.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 44%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In July, the coldest month of the year, the weather in La Paz is usually quite cold. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. 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, it dropped to -12.6 °C (9.3 °F) in July 2020.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it reached 20 °C (68 °F) in July 2001.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 44%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In August, the weather in La Paz is usually quite cold. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. 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, it dropped to -10 °C (14 °F) in August 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it reached 20 °C (68 °F) in August 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 47%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In September, the weather in La Paz is usually quite mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. 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, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9.3 °C (15.3 °F) in September 2018.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 54%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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In October, the weather in La Paz is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. 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, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -5.4 °C (22.3 °F) in October 2017.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it reached 21 °C (69.8 °F) in October 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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In November, the weather in La Paz is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. 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, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in November 1998.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (68.5 °F). However, it reached 24.3 °C (75.7 °F) in November 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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In December, the weather in La Paz is usually mild. 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, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in December 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). However, it reached 21.8 °C (71.2 °F) in December 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes. December 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).