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.

Best Time

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The best time to visit Santa Marta is from December to April, as it is the dry season. The sea is warm all year round.

Santa Marta - Climate data

In Santa Marta, 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.
In Santa Marta, 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.
At Santa Marta, the sea temperature ranges from 26 °C (79 °F) in January, February, March to 29 °C (84 °F) in October. Here are the average sea temperatures.
In Santa Marta, there are on average around 2810 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Santa Marta - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the least warm month of the year, the weather in Santa Marta is usually very hot. 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, it dropped to 18.8 °C (65.8 °F) in January 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in January 2020.
Precipitation amounts to only 3 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Santa Marta is usually very hot. 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, it dropped to 19.6 °C (67.3 °F) in February 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 38.2 °C (100.8 °F) in February 1998.
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (78.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Santa Marta is usually very hot. 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, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it dropped to 20.4 °C (68.7 °F) in March 1997.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 36.8 °C (98.2 °F) in March 1995.
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 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 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (78.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In April, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Santa Marta is usually very hot. 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, the temperature usually drops to around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it dropped to 20 °C (68 °F) in April 1991.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in April 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 14 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In May, the weather in Santa Marta is usually very hot and muggy. 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, the temperature usually drops to around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, it dropped to 22 °C (71.6 °F) in May 2018.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in May 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% 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 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In June, the weather in Santa Marta is usually very hot and muggy. 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, the temperature usually drops to around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it dropped to 22.2 °C (72 °F) in June 2007.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F). However, it reached 38.4 °C (101.1 °F) in June 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In July, the weather in Santa Marta is usually very hot and muggy. 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, it dropped to 20.4 °C (68.7 °F) in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 38.2 °C (100.8 °F) in July 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In August, the weather in Santa Marta is usually very hot and muggy. 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, it dropped to 20.6 °C (69.1 °F) in August 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 37.3 °C (99.1 °F) in August 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In September, the weather in Santa Marta is usually very hot and muggy. 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, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C (73 °F). However, it dropped to 20.6 °C (69.1 °F) in September 2018.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 37.2 °C (99 °F) in September 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In October, the weather in Santa Marta is usually very hot and muggy. 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, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it dropped to 20.2 °C (68.4 °F) in October 1999.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 36.2 °C (97.2 °F) in October 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In November, the weather in Santa Marta is usually very hot and muggy. 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, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it dropped to 19.8 °C (67.6 °F) in November 1999.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 36.2 °C (97.2 °F) in November 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 8 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 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In December, the weather in Santa Marta is usually very hot and muggy. 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, it dropped to 20 °C (68 °F) in December 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 36.2 °C (97.2 °F) in December 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.