Climate - Santa Marta (Colombia)

The climate of Santa Marta (whose official name is "Distrito Turístico, Cultural e Histórico de Santa Marta") is tropical semi-arid, with a rainy period from May to November and a dry period from December to April. The rains are more frequent from August to October.
The city is located in the north of Colombia, on the coast of the Caribbean Sea, in the department of Magdalena, at 11 degrees north latitude.
To the southeast of the city lie the mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The closest mountain is Cuchilla San Lorenzo, 2,866 meters (9,402 feet) high, but the highest is Pico Cristóbal Colón, the highest peak in Colombia with its 5,700 meters (18,700). Perennial snows (which are actually threatened by global warming) are found above 5,000 meters (16,400 feet).
To the north of the city is the Tayrona National Natural Park, occupied by green hills that receive the humidity of the north-east trade winds.
To the south-west, near the city of Ciénaga, we find a marshy area, the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta.
Santa Marta lies at the edge of the area over which hurricanes, the tropical cyclones of the Atlantic Ocean, can pass. This means that hurricanes affect this area quite rarely, but sometimes they can do it, as happened with Hurricane Joan in October 1988, Cesar in late July 1996, Matthew in late September 2016, and Iota in mid-November 2020. The hurricane season runs from June to November, but they are most likely from August to October.

The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 28.1 °C (82.5 °F), that of the warmest month (April) is of 29.9 °C (85.8 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 545 millimeters (21.5 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 2 mm (0.1 in) in the driest months (February, March) to 110 mm (4.3 in) in the wettest one (October). Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 26 °C (26 °F) in January, February, March to 29 °C (29 °F) in October. Here are the average sea temperatures.
On average, there are around 2810 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Santa Marta - Weather by month

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

In January, the coldest month of the year, the average temperature is of 28.1 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 23.2 °C (73.7 °F) and a maximum of 33 °C (91.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (69.5 °F). However, in January 1995, it dropped to 18.8 °C (65.8 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, in January 2020, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 3 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 0 days.
On average, there are 285 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 9 hours per day.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F).

In February, the average temperature is of 28.7 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 23.7 °C (74.7 °F) and a maximum of 33.6 °C (92.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, in February 2018, it dropped to 19.6 °C (67.3 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, in February 1998, it reached 38.2 °C (100.8 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), and all occurs in one day.
On average, there are 245 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 9 hours per day.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (78.5 °F).

In March, the average temperature is of 29.3 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 24.9 °C (76.8 °F) and a maximum of 33.6 °C (92.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, in March 1997, it dropped to 20.4 °C (68.7 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, in March 1995, it reached 36.8 °C (98.2 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), and all occurs in one day.
On average, there are 250 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 8 hours per day.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (78.5 °F).

In April, the warmest month of the year, the average temperature is of 29.9 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 26.2 °C (79.1 °F) and a maximum of 33.6 °C (92.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 24 °C (75 °F). However, in April 1991, it dropped to 20 °C (68 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, in April 2019, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 14 mm (0.6 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 69%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 26.5 °C (79.5 °F).

In May, the average temperature is of 29.8 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 26.4 °C (79.5 °F) and a maximum of 33.2 °C (91.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, in May 2018, it dropped to 22 °C (71.6 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, in May 1998, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
On average, there are 225 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7 hours per day.
The average humidity is 73%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F).

In June, the average temperature is of 29.8 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 26.1 °C (79 °F) and a maximum of 33.5 °C (92.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 24 °C (75 °F). However, in June 2007, it dropped to 22.2 °C (72 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F). However, in June 2015, it reached 38.4 °C (101.1 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 9 days.
On average, there are 230 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 73%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82.5 °F).

In July, the average temperature is of 29.5 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 25.6 °C (78.1 °F) and a maximum of 33.4 °C (92.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, in July 1992, it dropped to 20.4 °C (68.7 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, in July 2015, it reached 38.2 °C (100.8 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
On average, there are 230 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 73%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F).

In August, the average temperature is of 29.1 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 25.3 °C (77.6 °F) and a maximum of 32.9 °C (91.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C (73 °F). However, in August 1999, it dropped to 20.6 °C (69.1 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, in August 2019, it reached 37.3 °C (99.1 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 13 days.
On average, there are 220 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7 hours per day.
The average humidity is 75%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82.5 °F).

In September, the average temperature is of 29.0 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 25.2 °C (77.4 °F) and a maximum of 32.8 °C (91.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C (73 °F). However, in September 2018, it dropped to 20.6 °C (69.1 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, in September 2015, it reached 37.2 °C (99 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 13 days.
On average, there are 200 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 75%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83.5 °F).

In October, the average temperature is of 28.6 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.8 °C (76.6 °F) and a maximum of 32.3 °C (90.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, in October 1999, it dropped to 20.2 °C (68.4 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, in October 1997, it reached 36.2 °C (97.2 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 13 days.
On average, there are 205 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 77%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F).

In November, the average temperature is of 28.4 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.4 °C (76 °F) and a maximum of 32.3 °C (90.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, in November 1999, it dropped to 19.8 °C (67.6 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, in November 1993, it reached 36.2 °C (97.2 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 8 days.
On average, there are 220 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 76%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83.5 °F).

In December, the average temperature is of 28.3 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 23.8 °C (74.9 °F) and a maximum of 32.7 °C (90.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, in December 1999, it dropped to 20 °C (68 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, in December 2015, it reached 36.2 °C (97.2 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
On average, there are 270 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 8.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 72%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81 °F).