Climate - Culiacán (Sinaloa)

The climate of Culiacán is sub-tropical, with a fairly warm winter from December to February and a long, hot and muggy summer from April to October, within which there is a rainy period from July to September.
The city is located in western Mexico, in the state of Sinaloa, at the 24th parallel (therefore a bit to the north of the Tropic of Cancer), and 50 km (30 mi) away from the sea (the southern part of the Gulf of California).
From June to November, but with a higher probability from August to October, Culiacán can be affected by hurricanes of the Pacific Ocean. Typically, cyclones arrive weakened, but sometimes they can bring heavy rains, as happened with Hurricane Waldo in October 1985, and with Hurricane Manuel in September 2013. However, hurricanes are rare in June, the month in which they are most frequent is September, and historically they have never occurred in November.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 20.5 °C (69 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 30.8 °C (87.4 °F). In winter, especially in January, at night the temperature can drop to around 5 °C (41 °F). From May to October, it can instead reach, and sometimes exceed, 40 °C (104 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 665 millimeters (26.2 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level, but it is concentrated in a few months. It ranges from 0 mm (0 in) in the driest months (April, May) to 210 mm (8.3 in) in the wettest (August). Here is the average precipitation.

On average, there are around 2,495 sunshine hours per year. The relatively less sunny period is the rainy one, from July to September. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea temperature ranges between 21.5 °C (70 °F) and 30.5 °C (87 °F). From January to March the sea is a bit cool, while in summer it gets very warm. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Culiacán is from December to February, since it is a dry and not too hot period.

Culiacán - Weather by month

Based on the period 1981-2000

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Culiacán is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 12.2 °C (54 °F) and a maximum of 28.7 °C (83.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Culiacán is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 21.0 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 12.4 °C (54.2 °F) and a maximum of 29.5 °C (85.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (46 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Culiacán is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 22.3 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 13.4 °C (56.1 °F) and a maximum of 31.2 °C (88.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21.5 °C (71 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Culiacán is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 24.3 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 15.5 °C (59.9 °F) and a maximum of 33.1 °C (91.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (52 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (98 °F).
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 50 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 53%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (74 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Culiacán is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 27.2 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 19.1 °C (66.4 °F) and a maximum of 35.3 °C (95.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57.5 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 39 °C (102 °F).
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 25 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 52%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (78 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Culiacán is usually very hot. The average temperature is of 30.2 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 24.1 °C (75.4 °F) and a maximum of 36.2 °C (97.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (67 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 39.5 °C (103 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 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 warmest month of the year, the weather in Culiacán is usually very hot. The average temperature is of 30.8 °C (87 °F), with a minimum of 25.2 °C (77.3 °F) and a maximum of 36.5 °C (97.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (71 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 40 °C (104 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 165 mm (6.5 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 30 °C (85.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In August, the weather in Culiacán is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 30.5 °C (87 °F), with a minimum of 24.9 °C (76.9 °F) and a maximum of 36 °C (96.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (71 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 39.5 °C (103 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 210 mm (8.3 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 30.5 °C (86.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In September, the weather in Culiacán is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 30.1 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 24.8 °C (76.6 °F) and a maximum of 35.4 °C (95.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (71 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 140 mm (5.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 30 °C (86.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In October, the weather in Culiacán is usually very hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 29.0 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 22.3 °C (72.2 °F) and a maximum of 35.7 °C (96.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (63 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 39 °C (102.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (85 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In November, the weather in Culiacán is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 25.0 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 17.3 °C (63.1 °F) and a maximum of 32.8 °C (91.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (54 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26.5 °C (80 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In December, the weather in Culiacán is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 21.1 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 13.1 °C (55.6 °F) and a maximum of 29.1 °C (84.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.