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Climate - Peru


Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine

Flag - Peru

Map - Peru

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In Peru, a country located just south of the Equator, there are three climate zones:
- a desert coastal strip (called la Costa), with a mild climate, cloudy and foggy in winter and pleasantly warm in summer;
- the Andean zone (la Sierra), more or less cold depending on altitude;
- finally, the large eastern area covered by the Amazonian forest (la Selva), with a hot and humid climate throughout the year.

Index


  • The coast - Lima
  • The Andes - Arequipa, Cusco, Lake Titicaca, Cajamarca
  • The forest - Iquitos

The coast



Peru, climate of the coast
Along the Peruvian coast, the climate is very peculiar. The temperature varies little during the year and is almost always spring-like, but it almost never rains and therefore the landscape is desert. The reason why along the coast there is a desert, is found in the Humboldt Current, which flows in the ocean and cools the lowest layers of the atmosphere, thereby inhibiting the formation of vertical air currents, which are necessary for rain cloud formation. However, this situation in which cold air clings to the soil or to the sea surface, leads to the formation of fog and low clouds, which occur often, especially in the cold season, while sunshine prevails above 500 meters (1,600 feet), as happens in the Andean area lying above the fog layer.
In the north (see El Alto), the daily average temperature ranges from 18 °C (64 °F) in the coldest month (August) to 24 °C (75 °F) in the warmest month (February); in the center (see Lima and Trujillo), it ranges from 17 °C to 23 °C (63 to 73 °F); while in the south, near the border with Chile (see Ilo), it ranges from 15 °C to 22 °C (59 to 72 °F).

Lima

In Lima, the capital, basically it never rains. During winter, from June to September, the sky is almost always overcast, and even if it doesn't rain there is a mist, the Garúa, which can deposit moisture on the ground. Temperatures are mild, with highs around 19/21 °C (66/70 °F) and lows only a few degrees below, but owing to the lack of sunshine and the high humidity, the capital's residents are cold, also because they often live in unheated houses. Temperature inversion favors the accumulation of pollutants, despite the proximity of the sea.
Here are the average daily sunshine hours.
Lima - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January8.5260
February8230
March8245
April9275
May8240
June1.550
July125
August125
September125
October265
November3.5100
December6185
Year4.71725

During summer, from December to April, the sun often shines, at least at noon and in the afternoon, especially in February and March, while in the early hours of the day, fog can still occur. Sometimes, banks of low clouds can form in this season as well, albeit more rarely. The temperature is warm but without excess, with highs around 27/28 °C (81/82 °F) from January to March.
Here are the average temperatures.
Lima - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January202723.4688074.2
February212824.3698275.7
March202723.8698174.9
April192521.8657771.3
May172319.9637367.8
June162118.5626965.3
July162017.7606763.9
August151917.2606663
September152017.5606763.5
October162118.2606964.8
November172219.7637267.4
December192421.5657670.7
Year17.622.920.2563.773.368.5

In Lima, the sea is never very warm, even though it becomes acceptable for swimming from January to March.
Lima - Sea temperature
MonthCelsius (°C)Fahrenheit (°F)
January2272
February2373
March2272
April2069
May1967
June1865
July1864
August1762
September1762
October1763
November1865
December2069
Year19.466.9

Fog in Lima

In the northern part of the coast, the sea is warmer, in fact the water temperature ranges from 25 °C (77 °F) in February and March to 21 °C (70 °F) between August and October.
In addition, the northernmost part of the coast (in the regions of Tumbes and Piura, see Tumbes, Máncora, El Alto, Talara, Paita) may experience a bit of rain from January to May, around 50/100 millimeters (2/4 inches) per year (but even more in the far north, see Tumbes). The phenomenon known as El Niño, which is an abnormal warming of the ocean waters, can influence this part of the coast (even a little further to the south, up to the region of Lambayeque, see Chiclayo), bringing warmer weather conditions and unusual rainfall in the years when it occurs. During the most intense El Niño years (such as in 1983, 1998 and in 2016), the climate of this area can be transformed in the first months of the year (from January to May, but sometimes also in the previous December and in June), becoming tropical, ie hot and humid, with almost monsoon-like rains, especially in the northernmost part.
In Lima, usually it does not rain even during these periods, but the torrents that descend from inland can swell, causing floods and landslides. Furthermore, the air temperature can exceed 30 °C (86 °F) in summer, and sea temperature can exceed 25 °C (77 °F).

The Andes



Peru, climate of the Andes
The Andean Mountains cross Peru from north to south, clearly separating the coast from the Amazon forest. Here the climate varies with altitude and slope exposure. There are several high peaks, among which Huascaran, the highest with its 6,768 meters (22,205 feet), Yerupajá, 6,617 mt (21,709 feet), and Coropuna, 6,425 mt (21,079 ft). Eternal snows are found at about 5,000 meters (16,500 ft).
In the Andean Plateau, which hosts several modern cities but also the ruins of pre-Columbian civilizations, there is a rainy season from September to May, and a dry season from June to August (but in the far south the rainy season is shorter, and the rains are poor also in September and May). In contrast with the coast, the plateau in the dry season is sunny. The tropical sun's rays are very strong, especially at high altitude, hence they raise the temperature during the day by many degrees, but at night with clear skies it can get cold, even with possible frosts, especially in the south, which lies farther from the Equator and thus has a cooler winter.
In the Andean region, rainfall varies depending on slope exposure.
The western side, where it rains very rarely, is desert.

Arequipa

In Arequipa, located in the south at 2,500 meters (8,200 ft) above sea level, on the western slope of the Andes, ie the driest one, only 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain fall on average each year. Here is the average precipitation.
Arequipa - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January301.28
February351.49
March200.86
April100
May000
June000
July000
August20.10
September100
October000
November100
December50.21
Year953.724

The temperature in Arequipa is mild throughout the year, with quite cold nights especially from May to September, that is, in the austral winter.
Arequipa - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January102115.8517060.4
February102115.7517060.2
March102115.8507060.4
April102215.8497260.5
May82215.3477259.5
June82214.8467158.6
July72214.5457158.2
August82214.9467258.9
September92215.6487260
October92215.7487260.2
November92215.5487259.9
December102215.8507160.5
Year921.815.448.271.359.5

In Arequipa, the sun shines regularly for many months a year, in the long dry season; in the months when sometimes it can rain, from January to March, the sun shines a little less often. Here are the average daily sunshine hours.
Arequipa - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January7225
February6.5190
March8245
April10295
May9.5290
June9.5290
July9.5290
August10310
September10295
October10305
November10.5310
December9.5290
Year9.13335

The Nazca area, where the famous and mysterious Nazca Lines are found, is desert as well, but it's located around 500 meters (1,600 feet) above sea level, so it's not located in the Andes, but halfway between the Andes and the coast, in an area where you can find hot temperatures during the day, especially from December to March.
The plateau is generally arid, or at most moderately rainy: on average, from 350 to 800 millimeters (14 to 31.5 inches) of rain fall per year; rainfall is a bit more abundant in the north, where the rainy season is longer.
The eastern mountain range, called Cordillera Oriental, is rainier than the western one.
Daytime temperatures in the Andean area do not vary by much during the year, while nights are colder in the winter months, especially in the south. At night, the temperature can drop below freezing (0 °C or 32 °F) above 3,000 meters (9,800 ft), from May to August.

Cusco

In Cusco (or Cuzco), the ancient capital of the Inca empire, located at 3,400 meters (11,100 feet) above sea level, the maximum temperatures vary little throughout the year, from 20 °C (68 °F) between January and July to 22 °C (71.5 °F) in October and November (in fact, the spring months, before the rainy season, are the warmest). The minimum temperatures fluctuate more, and range from 8 °C (46.5 °F) in the December-March period (that is, the austral summer) to only 1 °C (34 °F) in July. Here are the average temperatures.
Cusco - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January82014.2476957.5
February82014.1476857.4
March82014.1466957.4
April62113.6437056.4
May42112.4397054.4
June22111.3366952.3
July12010.8346951.5
August32112377053.6
September52213.3417156
October72214.4457157.8
November82214.9467258.8
December82114.5467058
Year5.62113.2542.169.756

In Cusco, about 700 millimeters (27.5 in) of rain fall per year, almost all in the period from October to April, with a maximum from December to March, when rainfall is more frequent and abundant, while from May to August it almost never rains. Here is the average precipitation.
Cusco - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January1606.319
February1355.315
March1104.313
April451.89
May90.32
June20.11
July40.21
August80.32
September200.85
October451.89
November803.113
December1204.716
Year73528.9105

The famous archaeological site of Machu Picchu, located at about 2,500 meters (8,200 ft) above sea level, is a little milder.

Machu Picchu

Lake Titicaca

On the shores of Lake Titicaca, shared between Peru and Bolivia, at 3,800 meters (12,500 ft) above sea level, the climate is colder than in Cusco, so much so that from May to September there are frequent night frosts. However, in winter, with the sky usually clear, the temperature range between night and day is remarkable, to the point that during the day the temperature is similar to that of the summer months. Here are the average temperatures in Juliaca.
Juliaca - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January51811.3406552.3
February41811.1406452
March41811396451.8
April21810.2366550.3
May-2188.2296446.7
June-4186.9256444.4
July-4186.6246443.9
August-2187.9286546.1
September-1188.9316548.1
October21910.7366651.2
November32011.8386853.3
December41911.5396752.7
Year118.49.6533.76549.5

In Juliaca, 665 mm (26 in) fall per year, with a pattern similar to that of Cuzco.

Cajamarca

In the north, in Cajamarca, at 2,600 meters (8,500 ft), the temperature is milder, and the daily average is around 13/15 °C (55/59 °F) throughout the year. However, there is a high diurnal range: lows are a few degrees above freezing in winter and around 6/7 °C (43/45 °F) in summer, while highs are around 21/22 °C (70/72 °F) all year round.
Cajamarca - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January92114.9487058.9
February92114.9487058.8
March92114.9486958.8
April82114.6477058.3
May72114447057.2
June52113.2417155.7
July42112.8407055.1
August42212.9407155.3
September62213.6427156.5
October82114.4467058
November72114.4457157.9
December82114.5477058.2
Year721.214.0544.670.257.5

As mentioned, the rainy period in the north lasts longer than in the south; in Cajamarca, the rainiest period runs from October to April, but there are 7/8 days per month with some rain also in May and September. Here is the average precipitation.
Cajamarca - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January1003.912
February953.715
March1355.315
April953.712
May451.88
June200.84
July170.73
August170.72
September401.67
October953.79
November803.18
December75311
Year81031.9106

The sun in Cajamarca does not shine very often; however, there is a maximum in the austral winter, that is, in the dry season.
Cajamarca - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January5160
February5140
March4.5145
April5.5160
May7210
June7215
July8245
August7225
September5.5170
October5.5175
November6.5200
December6180
Year6.12225

The forest



Peru, climate of the Amazon rainforest
In the vast area of eastern Peru occupied by plains and hills and belonging to the Amazon Basin, there is a impenetrable rainforest, almost completely uninhabited. The northern region has an equatorial climate, hot and humid all year round, with frequent rainfall, while in the south the climate is tropical, with a relatively dry season in winter.

Iquitos

In Iquitos, in the north, 2,850 mm (112 in) of rain fall per year; the only months when the rainfall decreases a bit, to around 150 mm (6 in) per month, are July and August. The tropical rains usually occur in the form of downpours or thunderstorms in the afternoon. Here is the average precipitation.
Iquitos - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January2551017
February27510.818
March35013.820
April3051219
May27010.618
June2007.915
July1656.514
August1556.112
September1907.514
October2158.516
November2459.617
December2551016
Year2840111.8196

The temperatures in this northern part of the Amazon are steadily high all year round.
Iquitos - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January223227.4729081.4
February223227.4729081.2
March223227.3729081.2
April223227.3729081.1
May223227728980.5
June223126.5718879.7
July213126.3708979.3
August213226.8709080.3
September223327.5719281.4
October223327.6729281.8
November223327.6729181.8
December223227.4729081.3
Year22.132.327.171.790.181

The sun in Iquitos does not shine very often, however, it becomes a bit more frequent in the least rainy months, which as mentioned are July and August.
Iquitos - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January5.5165
February5.5150
March5150
April5.5160
May5.5175
June6.5190
July7215
August7.5225
September7215
October6.5200
November6180
December5160
Year62180

Moving south, the relatively dry season in the Southern Hemisphere winter becomes more evident: in Pucallpa, in the central area, just 50/60 mm (2/2.4 in) of rain fall per month in the period from June to August, while in the southernmost part, in Puerto Maldonado, the least rainy season goes from May to September. Here, during winter there is also a decrease in temperature, in fact the average minimum temperature goes down to about 15 °C (59 °F).
The highest amount of rainfall is recorded in the eastern slope of the Andes, where the mountains descend towards the Amazon rainforest. Quince Mil, at 650 meters (2,100 ft) above sea level, on the north side of the Cordillera Oriental, receives 6 meters and a half (21 feet) of rain per year! Here the "best" period is from May to September, when "only" 300 to 350 mm (12/14 in) of rain fall per month.

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 See also (cities or regions):

 Arequipa
 Ayacucho
 Cajamarca
 Chiclayo
 Cusco
 Iquitos
 Juanjui
 Juliaca
 Lima
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 Marcona
 Pisco
 Piura
 Pucallpa
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 Rioja
 Tacna
 Talara
 Tarapoto
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 Trujillo
 Tumbes
 Yurimaguas

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