Climate - Lima (Peru)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Lima
In Lima, the capital of Peru, the climate is very peculiar: it is subtropical desert, with a warm season from December to April and a cool, humid and cloudy season from June to October, with May and November as transitional months.
The city is located in the central part of the Peruvian coast, and despite its location, about 12 degrees south of the Equator, it has an arid and very mild climate because of the cold Humboldt ocean current (or Peru current).
During winter, from June to September, the sky is almost always cloudy, and there is a kind of mist, the garúa, which can deposit a bit of moisture on the ground. Temperatures are mild, but the lack of sunshine and high air humidity increase the feeling of cold, also because houses are not heated. Thermal inversion favors the accumulation of pollutants on the ground, despite the proximity to the sea.
During summer, from December to April, sunshine is frequent, at least in the warmest hours, while in the early hours of the day, fog may still form. Even in this season, at times, banks of low clouds can form, though more rarely. The temperature is pleasantly warm.
Here are the average temperatures.
Lima - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 20.3 | 26.6 | 23.4 | 68 | 80 | 74.2 |
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| February | 20.8 | 27.8 | 24.3 | 69 | 82 | 75.7 |
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| March | 20.3 | 27.3 | 23.8 | 69 | 81 | 74.9 |
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| April | 18.6 | 25.1 | 21.8 | 65 | 77 | 71.3 |
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| May | 17.2 | 22.6 | 19.9 | 63 | 73 | 67.8 |
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| June | 16.4 | 20.5 | 18.5 | 62 | 69 | 65.3 |
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| July | 15.8 | 19.6 | 17.7 | 60 | 67 | 63.9 |
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| August | 15.3 | 19.2 | 17.2 | 60 | 66 | 63 |
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| September | 15.3 | 19.6 | 17.5 | 60 | 67 | 63.5 |
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| October | 15.8 | 20.6 | 18.2 | 60 | 69 | 64.8 |
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| November | 17 | 22.3 | 19.7 | 63 | 72 | 67.4 |
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| December | 18.6 | 24.3 | 21.5 | 65 | 76 | 70.7 |
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| Year | 17.6 | 22.9 | 20.25 | 63.7 | 73.3 | 68.5 |
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The climate of Lima is affected by the cycles of El Niño, the phenomenon consisting in the abnormal warming of the Pacific waters. In El Niño years, both air and sea temperature increase, especially in the early months of the year when there may be long periods with practically tropical heat. For example, in March 1983 and in February 1998, the monthly average has been 27.9 °C (82.2 °F), while in January 1998, the highest temperature has been 33 °C (91.5 °F). Normally, however, the temperature reaches 30 °C (86 °F) on the hottest days of the year.
Rainfall is definitely scarce or completely absent: apart from the mist that falls to the ground in winter, as well as the very rare and sparse shower that occur in summer, it practically never rains. Here is the average precipitation.
Lima - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 1 | 0 | 1 |
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| February | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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| March | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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| April | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| May | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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| June | 1 | 0 | 2 |
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| July | 1 | 0 | 3 |
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| August | 2 | 0.1 | 4 |
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| September | 1 | 0 | 3 |
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| October | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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| November | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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| December | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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| Year | 5 | 0.3 | 18 |
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Unlike what happens more to the north, and to the east where the Andes are located, in Lima, it usually does not rain even in El Niño years: for example, it did not rain in 1983 and 1998. However, owing to the increase in rainfall in the Andean region, during these periods, the rivers that cross the city (Chillón, Rímac, Surco, and Lurín) can swell, causing landslides, and there may be a shortage of potable water. The rains in Lima are so rare that they occur a few times in a century. Over the past 100 years, it is worth mentioning the event of March 7, 1925, when 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) of rain fell, that of January 7, 1952, and that of January 15, 1970, when there has been a heavy shower, which unloaded 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain in 5 hours and caused flooding (mainly due to the absence of an adequate drainage system).
The amount of sunshine in Lima is decent, though not excellent, in the warm period, from December to April, while it is extremely poor from June to November because, as we mentioned, the Humboldt current causes fogs and low clouds. There are about 6 hours of sunshine per day from January to April and only one hour from July to September.
From June to November, Lima is the least sunny city in South America, and the total amount of sunshine per year (1,230 hours) also makes it the least sunny city on the continent. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Lima - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
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January | 8.5 | 260 | February | 8 | 230 | March | 8 | 245 | April | 9 | 275 | May | 8 | 240 | June | 1.5 | 50 | July | 1 | 25 | August | 1 | 25 | September | 1 | 25 | October | 2 | 65 | November | 3.5 | 100 | December | 6 | 185 | Year | 4.7 | 1725 |
Usually, the sea in Lima is never really warm, though it becomes acceptable for swimming from January to March. However, in El Niño years, the sea warms up by a few degrees. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Lima - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 22 | 72 | February | 23 | 73 | March | 22 | 72 | April | 20.5 | 69 | May | 19.5 | 67 | June | 18.5 | 65 | July | 17.5 | 64 | August | 17 | 62 | September | 17 | 62 | October | 17.5 | 63 | November | 18.5 | 65 | December | 20.5 | 69 | Year | 19.4 | 66.9 |
Lima - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
In January, the weather in Lima is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 23.4 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 20.3 °C (68.5 °F) and a maximum of 26.6 °C (79.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it dropped to 16.1 °C (61 °F) in January 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in January 1998.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (72 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
In February, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Lima is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 24.3 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 20.8 °C (69.4 °F) and a maximum of 27.8 °C (82 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it dropped to 17 °C (62.6 °F) in February 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F). However, it reached 32.5 °C (90.5 °F) in February 2008.
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 30 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (73 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
In March, the weather in Lima is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 23.8 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 20.3 °C (68.5 °F) and a maximum of 27.3 °C (81.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it dropped to 16 °C (60.8 °F) in March 2000.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in March 1997.
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 5 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (72 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
In April, the weather in Lima is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.8 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 18.6 °C (65.5 °F) and a maximum of 25.1 °C (77.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it dropped to 14.8 °C (58.6 °F) in April 1995.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 31.6 °C (88.9 °F) in April 1998.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 78% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
In May, the weather in Lima is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.9 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 17.2 °C (62.9 °F) and a maximum of 22.6 °C (72.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). However, it dropped to 13 °C (55.4 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in May 1992.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (66.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
In June, the weather in Lima is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.5 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 16.4 °C (61.6 °F) and a maximum of 20.5 °C (68.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.3 °C (54.1 °F) in June 1991.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73 °F). However, it reached 28.3 °C (82.9 °F) in June 1997.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 15% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
In July, the weather in Lima is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.7 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 15.8 °C (60.4 °F) and a maximum of 19.6 °C (67.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it dropped to 11.5 °C (52.7 °F) in July 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 28.3 °C (82.9 °F) in July 1997.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
There is an average of 1 hour of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 7% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In August, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Lima is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.2 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 15.3 °C (59.5 °F) and a maximum of 19.2 °C (66.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) in August 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (70 °F). However, it reached 25.4 °C (77.7 °F) in August 1997.
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 40 minutes.
There is an average of 1 hour of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 7% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In September, the weather in Lima is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.5 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 15.3 °C (59.6 °F) and a maximum of 19.6 °C (67.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) in September 1999.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, it reached 26.2 °C (79.2 °F) in September 1997.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There is an average of 1 hour of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 7% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In October, the weather in Lima is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.2 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 15.8 °C (60.5 °F) and a maximum of 20.6 °C (69.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it dropped to 12 °C (53.6 °F) in October 2001.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (73 °F). However, it reached 25.2 °C (77.4 °F) in October 2015.
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 25 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 17% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In November, the weather in Lima is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.7 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 17 °C (62.6 °F) and a maximum of 22.3 °C (72.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). However, it dropped to 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) in November 2000.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 28.1 °C (82.6 °F) in November 2019.
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 40 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
In December, the weather in Lima is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.5 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 18.6 °C (65.5 °F) and a maximum of 24.3 °C (75.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16.5 °C (62 °F). However, it dropped to 15.6 °C (60.1 °F) in December 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 30.1 °C (86.2 °F) in December 1997.
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 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
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