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The climate of Iquique 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 north of Chile, at 20 degrees south latitude, on the coast of the Pacific Ocean.
In winter, water droplets caused by fog can settle on the ground, but actual rain hardly ever occurs. In fact, Iquique, along with Arica, which is further north, is one of the driest cities 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).
Best Time
The
best time to visit Iquique 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.
Iquique - Climate data
In Iquique, the
average temperature of the coldest month (August) is of 15.9 °C (60.5 °F), that of the warmest month (February) is of 22.5 °C (72.4 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Iquique - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
|---|
| January | 19 | 25 | 22.2 | 66 | 78 | 71.9 |
|---|
| February | 19 | 26 | 22.5 | 66 | 79 | 72.4 |
|---|
| March | 18 | 25 | 21.5 | 65 | 77 | 70.8 |
|---|
| April | 17 | 23 | 19.7 | 62 | 73 | 67.4 |
|---|
| May | 15 | 21 | 18 | 60 | 69 | 64.5 |
|---|
| June | 14 | 19 | 16.7 | 58 | 66 | 62.1 |
|---|
| July | 14 | 18 | 15.9 | 57 | 64 | 60.6 |
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| August | 14 | 18 | 15.9 | 57 | 64 | 60.5 |
|---|
| September | 14 | 19 | 16.5 | 58 | 65 | 61.6 |
|---|
| October | 15 | 20 | 17.5 | 59 | 68 | 63.5 |
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| November | 16 | 22 | 18.8 | 61 | 71 | 65.9 |
|---|
| December | 17 | 23 | 20.5 | 63 | 74 | 68.8 |
|---|
| Year | 16.1 | 21.5 | 18.75 | 61 | 70.7 | 65.5 |
|---|
In Iquique,
precipitation amounts to 0 millimeters (0 inches) per year: it is therefore at a desert level. In practice, it never rains.
Iquique - 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 |
|---|
At Iquique, the
sea temperature ranges from 17 °C (63 °F) in August, September to 24 °C (75 °F) in February. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Iquique - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
|---|
January | 23.5 | 74 | February | 24 | 75 | March | 23 | 73 | April | 21.5 | 71 | May | 20 | 68 | June | 18.5 | 65 | July | 17.5 | 63 | August | 17 | 62 | September | 17 | 63 | October | 18 | 65 | November | 20 | 68 | December | 21.5 | 71 | Year | 20.1 | 68.2 |
In Iquique, there are on average around 2870
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Iquique - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
January | 10 | 315 | February | 10 | 290 | March | 9.5 | 295 | April | 8 | 240 | May | 7 | 215 | June | 6 | 175 | July | 5.5 | 165 | August | 5 | 160 | September | 6 | 185 | October | 8 | 240 | November | 9.5 | 280 | December | 10 | 315 | Year | 7.9 | 2870 |
Iquique - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
In
January, the weather in Iquique is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.2 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 18.9 °C (66 °F) and a maximum of 25.4 °C (77.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). However, it dropped to 11.8 °C (53.2 °F) in January 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (82 °F). However, it reached 31.2 °C (88.2 °F) in January 1995.
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.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 77% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23.5 °C (74 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
In
February, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Iquique is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.5 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 19 °C (66.1 °F) and a maximum of 26 °C (78.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62 °F). However, it dropped to 10.1 °C (50.2 °F) in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83 °F). However, it reached 30.4 °C (86.7 °F) in February 1998.
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 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 81% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
In
March, the weather in Iquique is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.6 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 18.1 °C (64.5 °F) and a maximum of 25 °C (77.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (60 °F). However, it dropped to 11.8 °C (53.2 °F) in March 1996.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 31.1 °C (88 °F) in March 1992.
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 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 78% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (73.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
In
April, the weather in Iquique is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.7 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 16.5 °C (61.7 °F) and a maximum of 22.9 °C (73.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it dropped to 11.7 °C (53.1 °F) in April 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 30.4 °C (86.7 °F) in April 2019.
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 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
In
May, the weather in Iquique is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 18.0 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 15.3 °C (59.6 °F) and a maximum of 20.8 °C (69.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.9 °C (49.8 °F) in May 2008.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in May 2017.
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 5 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
In
June, the weather in Iquique is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.7 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 14.5 °C (58 °F) and a maximum of 18.9 °C (66.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) in June 1996.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it reached 24.2 °C (75.6 °F) in June 1991.
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. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. 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
July, the weather in Iquique is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.9 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 13.9 °C (57 °F) and a maximum of 17.9 °C (64.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8 °C (46.4 °F) in July 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (68.5 °F). However, it reached 22.6 °C (72.7 °F) in July 2003.
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 5 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. 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
August, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Iquique is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.9 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 13.9 °C (57 °F) and a maximum of 17.8 °C (64.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 9.3 °C (48.7 °F) in August 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). However, it reached 20.9 °C (69.6 °F) in August 2018.
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 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In
September, the weather in Iquique is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.5 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 14.4 °C (57.8 °F) and a maximum of 18.6 °C (65.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9 °C (48.2 °F) in September 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (68 °F). However, it reached 22.8 °C (73 °F) in September 1994.
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 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (63 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In
October, the weather in Iquique is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.5 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 15.2 °C (59.4 °F) and a maximum of 19.8 °C (67.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) in October 2010.
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 24.2 °C (75.6 °F) in October 2014.
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 35 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (65 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In
November, the weather in Iquique is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.8 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 16.2 °C (61.1 °F) and a maximum of 21.5 °C (70.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10.5 °C (50.9 °F) in November 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it reached 25.5 °C (77.9 °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 5 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (67.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
In
December, the weather in Iquique is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 17.5 °C (63.4 °F) and a maximum of 23.5 °C (74.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (58.5 °F). However, it dropped to 11.7 °C (53.1 °F) in December 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in December 1994.
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 20 minutes. December 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21.5 °C (71 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.