Climate - Cusco (Peru)

In Cusco (or Cuzco), the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, located at 3,300 meters (10,800 ft) above sea level in the Peruvian Andes, the climate is temperate, spring-like during the day all year round, but with cold nights in winter, from May to August, when the minimum temperatures are near freezing (0 °C or 32 °F); on the contrary, in summer, from November to March, which is also the rainiest period, night temperatures are milder, around 8 °C (46 °F).
As mentioned, during the day, the temperatures are uniform throughout the year, and reach 20/22 °C (68/72 °F) when the sky is clear. This happens even in winter because of the big increase in temperature caused by the mountain sun. In contrast, in winter, a cold mountain breeze starts to blow at sunset, and on winter nights, there may be slight frosts.
The coldest record is -7 °C (19.5 °F), recorded in July 1979.
During the day, the temperature practically never reaches 30 °C (86 °F), but the mountain sun at tropical latitudes is very strong and requires appropriate protection.
Here are the average temperatures.

Rainfall is moderate, since it amounts to 710 millimeters (28 inches) per year; it is concentrated in the summer months, in particular, it is equal to or higher than 100 mm (4 in) per month from December to March. In these months, showers occur almost daily, although they are often short-lived. In the winter season, from May to August, it rains very rarely. The rains begin to fall in September, although they are initially rare and brief.
Here is the average precipitation.



The amount of sunshine in Cuzco is good in the dry season, from May to August, when blue skies prevail, it is decent in the intermediate periods, when the rains are frequent but short-lived, while from December to March, there is not much sun because of the frequent cloudiness, which can lead to rain showers. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

The best time to visit Cuzco is from May to October, since it is the driest and sunniest time of the year. However, it is winter, so you should be equipped for the cold at night, and be ready to uncover (but at the same time to protect yourself from the sun) during the day, when the air becomes mild.
In April and September, there are some showers, but generally of short duration and not heavy.

Cusco - Weather by month

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

In January, the average temperature is of 14.2 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 8.1 °C (46.5 °F) and a maximum of 20.3 °C (68.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, in January 2005, it dropped to 3.8 °C (38.8 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, in January 1995, it reached 26.5 °C (79.7 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 160 mm (6.3 in), distributed over 19 days.
On average, there are 145 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 4.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (3 kph).

In February, the average temperature is of 14.1 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 8.1 °C (46.5 °F) and a maximum of 20.1 °C (68.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, in February 1999, it dropped to 3.8 °C (38.8 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, in February 1995, it reached 26.7 °C (80.1 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 15 days.
On average, there are 120 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 4.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 kph).

In March, the average temperature is of 14.1 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 7.9 °C (46.2 °F) and a maximum of 20.3 °C (68.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, in March 1991, it dropped to 3.8 °C (38.8 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, in March 2016, it reached 25.3 °C (77.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 13 days.
On average, there are 170 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 5.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (3 kph).

In April, the average temperature is of 13.6 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 6.3 °C (43.3 °F) and a maximum of 20.9 °C (69.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37.5 °F). However, in April 2013, it dropped to 0.8 °C (33.4 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, in April 1995, it reached 26.9 °C (80.4 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
On average, there are 210 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7 hours per day.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 kph).

In May, the average temperature is of 12.4 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 3.7 °C (38.7 °F) and a maximum of 21.1 °C (70.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33 °F). However, in May 2006, it dropped to -3 °C (26.6 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, in May 2019, it reached 25.4 °C (77.7 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 9 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
On average, there are 240 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 54%.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 kph).

In June, the average temperature is of 11.3 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 2 °C (35.5 °F) and a maximum of 20.6 °C (69.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, in June 1993, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73 °F). However, in June 1994, it reached 24.2 °C (75.6 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), and all occurs in one day.
On average, there are 230 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 50%.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 kph).

In July, the coldest month of the year, the average temperature is of 10.8 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 1.2 °C (34.2 °F) and a maximum of 20.4 °C (68.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, in July 2006, it dropped to -6.3 °C (20.7 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73 °F). However, in July 2020, it reached 26 °C (78.8 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 4 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
On average, there are 255 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 8.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 48%.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 kph).

In August, the average temperature is of 12.0 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 2.8 °C (37.1 °F) and a maximum of 21.2 °C (70.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, in August 1991, it dropped to -5.2 °C (22.6 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, in August 2014, it reached 25.8 °C (78.4 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 8 mm (0.3 in), distributed over 2 days.
On average, there are 235 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 47%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 kph).

In September, the average temperature is of 13.3 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 5.1 °C (41.2 °F) and a maximum of 21.6 °C (70.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (35 °F). However, in September 2019, it dropped to -1.5 °C (29.3 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76 °F). However, in September 1994, it reached 26 °C (78.8 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 5 days.
On average, there are 195 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 50%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 kph).

In October, the average temperature is of 14.4 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 7 °C (44.5 °F) and a maximum of 21.8 °C (71.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, in October 2007, it dropped to 0.4 °C (32.7 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77 °F). However, in October 2015, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
On average, there are 200 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 53%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 kph).

In November, the warmest month of the year, the average temperature is of 14.9 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 7.6 °C (45.7 °F) and a maximum of 22.2 °C (71.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, in November 2020, it dropped to 2.9 °C (37.2 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77 °F). However, in November 2015, it reached 26.6 °C (79.9 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 13 days.
On average, there are 195 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 54%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 kph).

In December, the warmest month of the year, the average temperature is of 14.5 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 7.9 °C (46.3 °F) and a maximum of 21 °C (69.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (41.5 °F). However, in December 2018, it dropped to 3 °C (37.4 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76 °F). However, in December 1994, it reached 29.9 °C (85.8 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 16 days.
On average, there are 160 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 kph).