Climate - Baja California Sur (Mexico)

Index

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• Introduction
• Center-north - Santa Rosalia, Guerrero Negro, Ciudad Constitución
• South - Los Cabos, Sierra de la Laguna, Agua Caliente
• When to go

Introduction

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The state of Baja California Sur encompasses the central and southern part of the Baja California peninsula. The climate is arid subtropical in most of the state, mild on the west coast, overlooking the Pacific ocean, where a cold current flows, and very hot in summer on the east coast, overlooking the Gulf of California (or Sea of ​​Cortez).
In winter, when cold air masses arrive from the United States, it can get cold at night, and the temperature can drop to 0 °C (32 °F) in inland areas, and on the coast, to 5 °C (41 °F) in the north, and to 8/10 °C (46/50 °F) in the extreme south, but also in these cases, during the day it generally remains mild.
From July to mid-October, there is an increase in rainfall, due to the "little monsoon" of North America, with more evident effects in the southernmost part, crossed by the Tropic of Cancer.
Within the little monsoon, from late June to October, and with a maximum in September, Baja California Sur (more than Baja California) may be affected by tropical depressions and cyclones that form in the Pacific off the southern coast of Mexico.

Center-north

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In the north-central part of the state, the climate is desert or semi-desert, although some rain occurs from July to October. Winter nights can be cold, while summer is hot on the west coast, and very hot in inland areas and on the east coast.
Precipitation, around 100 mm (4 in) per year along the coasts, reaches 300 mm (12 in) in the hills of the interior.

Guerrero Negro

Here are the average temperatures in Guerrero Negro, located on the north-western coast, near the border with the state of Baja California.

In Guerrero Negro, just 80 mm (3 in) of rain fall per year, most of which in winter: we are still in the area that hardly receives rain in the summer.

In Guerrero Negro, the sea never gets very warm, however it becomes warm enough for swimming in August and September. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Santa Rosalia

On the other side, the east coast is very hot in summer. Here are the average temperatures in Santa Rosalia.

In Santa Rosalia, rainfall amounts to just 100 mm (4 in) per year, however the rainiest months are August and September, with 25 mm (1 in)per month.

In Santa Rosalia, the sea is warm enough for swimming from June to November, and becomes very warm from July to September.

Continuing south on the eastern side (see Mulegé, Loreto, La Paz), the situation remains similar, even though the winter becomes progressively milder, and the rains in the July-October period slightly increase. In La Paz, only 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain per year still fall.

Ciudad Constitución

In the interior of the north-central part, in winter, the temperature range is significant, so it can be cold at night, while the days are pleasantly warm, and sometimes hot. In summer, the heat is very intense: the temperature often reaches 40 °C (104 °F), and in addition there is the humidity coming from the sea and the one related to the "little monsoon", which brings some rain from July to September. Here are the average temperatures in Ciudad Constitución.

The rainfall in Ciudad Constitución amounts to just 140 mm (5.5 in) per year, so we are still at a desert level, however we can notice the presence of some rain from July to September. Here is the average rainfall.

The interior of the peninsula is crossed by a mountain range, the Sierra de la Giganta. In the central-northern part, the highest peaks are the volcanoes called Tres Vírgenes, north-west of Santa Rosalia, which reach 1,940 meters (6,365 ft).

South

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In the southern part, in summer the sea becomes warm even on the western side. Furthermore, this area is more affected by the little monsoon. On the west coast, rainfall is still scarce, since it ranges from 200 mm (8 in) in Todos Santos to 220 mm (8.7 in) in Cabo San Lucas (on the southern tip), while on the south-east facing coast, it reaches 290 mm or 11.5 inches (see San José del Cabo).

Los Cabos

Cabo San Lucas is located at the southern tip of Baja California. Here, as in the rest of the peninsula, the climate is arid; winter is sunny, with cool nights, around 13/14 °C (55/57 °F), and pleasantly warm days, around 25/26 °C (77/79 °F). Spring is warm and sunny: daytime temperatures reach 29 °C (84 °F) already in April. Summer is hot, with highs around 32/34 °C (90/93 °F), but in the second part, from mid-July to October, owing to the little monsoon, there's some chance of showers and thunderstorms, sometimes intense, especially in September. Here are the average temperatures.

Since, as we mentioned, the rains are concentrated in late summer, in this southern part of Baja California the rainfall pattern is opposite to that of the northern part. Here is the average precipitation.

The sun in Los Cabos shines all year round, but there's a certain decrease in the sunshine hours from July to September.

Here the sea is very warm in summer, while in winter it is a bit cool, but not impossible for swimming.

Sierra de la Laguna

On the elevations of the southern part, in the Sierra de la Laguna, rainfall ranges from 400 to 650 mm (15 to 25 in) per year. The rains in the period July-October are high enough as to allow the growth of a more organized vegetation, an arid scrub at low-altitude (xeric scrub), a dry forest from 250 to 800 meters (800 to 2,600 feet), and a coniferous forest at higher altitudes.
The highest peak (the so-called Sierra de la Laguna High Point) is at 2,090 meters (6,856 ft). Here are the average temperatures at the summit.

Precipitation amounts to 650 mm (25.5 in) per year, with a maximum of 180 mm (7 in) in August.

Agua Caliente

In inland areas, at low altitudes, temperatures in summer are very high. In Agua Caliente (or El Chorro), which, as its name indicates, is located near hot springs, the average maximum in July is 40 °C (104 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 530 mm (21 in) per year, with a maximum of 220 mm (8.7 in) in September.

when to go

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You can visit the central-northern part of Baja California Sur from November to April, and the southern part from mid-November to March, since it is the least hot period. During the day you can enjoy the sun, while in the evening you will need a sweater and a jacket (light for the southern part).
For a beach holiday you may prefer May (when the sea is still a little cool) and the first half of November (when the sea is warmer).
The mountain peaks can be visited in April and May, when it is not as cold as in winter.



See also the climate of Baja California.