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The climate of Arica is
subtropical desert, with winters (June to September) characterized by fairly cool temperatures, cloudy skies, fogs and mists, and summers (December to March) warm and sunny.
The city is located in the far north of Chile, at 18 degrees south latitude, on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, and near the border with Peru.
In winter, water droplets caused by fog can settle on the ground, but actual rain hardly ever occurs. In fact, Arica is one of the driest places on Earth.
The cause of the aridity is a cold sea current, the
Humboldt Current, which inhibits the formation of upward air currents that could generate rain clouds.
The sea current also makes the climate particularly mild, in fact the temperature almost never reaches 30 °C (86 °F).
However, in the years of
El Niño, when the temperature of the sea increases, it get a little warmer. In February and March 1983, the average maximum was 30 °C (86 °F), and in Mars the temperature reached 33 °C (91.5 °F).
Best Time
The
best time to visit Arica is summer, from December to March, as it is the warmest and sunniest season. The sea is not very warm, but it is warm enough for swimming, especially from January to March.
Considering that it never rains and the temperatures are mild, you can also go in winter, from June to September, but the sun doesn't shine very often and the air is humid.
Arica - Climate data
In Arica, the
average temperature of the coldest month (July) is of 16.5 °C (61.6 °F), that of the warmest month (February) is of 23.2 °C (73.8 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Arica - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
|---|
| January | 19.9 | 25.8 | 22.9 | 68 | 78 | 73.1 |
|---|
| February | 20.1 | 26.3 | 23.2 | 68 | 79 | 73.8 |
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| March | 19.2 | 25.6 | 22.4 | 67 | 78 | 72.3 |
|---|
| April | 17.4 | 23.6 | 20.5 | 63 | 75 | 68.9 |
|---|
| May | 16 | 21.5 | 18.8 | 61 | 71 | 65.8 |
|---|
| June | 15.2 | 19.6 | 17.4 | 59 | 67 | 63.3 |
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| July | 14.5 | 18.4 | 16.5 | 58 | 65 | 61.6 |
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| August | 14.7 | 18.3 | 16.5 | 59 | 65 | 61.7 |
|---|
| September | 15.2 | 18.9 | 17.1 | 59 | 66 | 62.7 |
|---|
| October | 16.1 | 20.4 | 18.2 | 61 | 69 | 64.8 |
|---|
| November | 17.1 | 22.1 | 19.6 | 63 | 72 | 67.3 |
|---|
| December | 18.4 | 24 | 21.2 | 65 | 75 | 70.1 |
|---|
| Year | 17 | 22 | 19.45 | 62.5 | 71.6 | 67 |
|---|
In Arica,
precipitation amounts to 0 millimeters (0 inches) per year: it is therefore at a desert level. In practice, it never rains.
Arica - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
|---|
| January | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| February | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| March | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| April | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| May | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| June | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| July | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| August | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| September | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| October | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| November | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| December | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| Year | 0 | 0.1 | 0 |
|---|
At Arica, the
sea temperature ranges from 17 °C (63 °F) in August to 24 °C (75 °F) in February. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Arica - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
|---|
January | 23.5 | 75 | February | 24 | 75 | March | 23.5 | 74 | April | 22 | 71 | May | 20.5 | 69 | June | 19 | 66 | July | 17.5 | 64 | August | 17 | 63 | September | 17.5 | 64 | October | 18.5 | 66 | November | 20.5 | 69 | December | 22 | 72 | Year | 20.5 | 68.9 |
In Arica, there are on average around 2310
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Arica - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
January | 8 | 245 | February | 8.5 | 240 | March | 8 | 250 | April | 7.5 | 220 | May | 6 | 185 | June | 4.5 | 130 | July | 4 | 125 | August | 4 | 125 | September | 4.5 | 140 | October | 6 | 190 | November | 7.5 | 220 | December | 7.5 | 240 | Year | 6.3 | 2310 |
Arica - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
In
January, the weather in Arica is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 22.9 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 19.9 °C (67.8 °F) and a maximum of 25.8 °C (78.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it dropped to 14.5 °C (58.1 °F) in January 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 30.2 °C (86.4 °F) in January 1998.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
In
February, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Arica is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 23.2 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 20.1 °C (68.1 °F) and a maximum of 26.3 °C (79.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it dropped to 16 °C (60.8 °F) in February 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in February 2017.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
In
March, the weather in Arica is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.4 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 19.2 °C (66.5 °F) and a maximum of 25.6 °C (78.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it dropped to 14.4 °C (57.9 °F) in March 2000.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 29.7 °C (85.5 °F) in March 2016.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23.5 °C (74 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
In
April, the weather in Arica is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 17.4 °C (63.3 °F) and a maximum of 23.6 °C (74.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (58.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.1 °C (53.8 °F) in April 2008.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in April 1993.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
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 69%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
In
May, the weather in Arica is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.8 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 16 °C (60.8 °F) and a maximum of 21.5 °C (70.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.6 °C (49.3 °F) in May 1996.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in May 2001.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
In
June, the weather in Arica is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.4 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 15.2 °C (59.3 °F) and a maximum of 19.6 °C (67.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53 °F). However, it dropped to 8.3 °C (46.9 °F) in June 2003.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (70 °F). However, it reached 24.7 °C (76.5 °F) in June 2016.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19 °C (66 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
In
July, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Arica is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.5 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 14.5 °C (58.2 °F) and a maximum of 18.4 °C (65.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it dropped to 6.6 °C (43.9 °F) in July 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). However, it reached 27.9 °C (82.2 °F) in July 2016.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (64 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In
August, the weather in Arica is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.5 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 14.7 °C (58.5 °F) and a maximum of 18.3 °C (64.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it dropped to 8.4 °C (47.1 °F) in August 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (67.5 °F). However, it reached 24.2 °C (75.6 °F) in August 1997.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (63 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In
September, the weather in Arica is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.1 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 15.2 °C (59.3 °F) and a maximum of 18.9 °C (66.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8 °C (46.4 °F) in September 1996.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). However, it reached 23.2 °C (73.8 °F) in September 1997.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In
October, the weather in Arica is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.2 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 16.1 °C (60.9 °F) and a maximum of 20.4 °C (68.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (55 °F). However, it dropped to 9.2 °C (48.6 °F) in October 1999.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 25 °C (77 °F) in October 1997.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
In
November, the weather in Arica is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.6 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 17.1 °C (62.8 °F) and a maximum of 22.1 °C (71.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it dropped to 11.4 °C (52.5 °F) in November 1993.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, it reached 25.1 °C (77.2 °F) in November 1992.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
In
December, the weather in Arica is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.2 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 18.4 °C (65.1 °F) and a maximum of 24 °C (75.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (60.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.8 °C (55 °F) in December 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 27.3 °C (81.1 °F) in December 2013.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes. December 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (72 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.