Weather and climate in Maracaibo (Venezuela)

The climate of Maracaibo is tropical semi-arid. Temperatures are high and fairly constant, although they increase slightly from April to September. The rains are irregular and distributed in the period May-November, with a decrease in July and a maximum in September-October, while from December to April is the dry season.
The city is the capital of the state of Zulia and is located in the northwest of Venezuela, at 10 degrees north latitude, on the strait that connects Lake Maracaibo, which is formed by fresh water, with the Gulf of Venezuela, which is part of the Caribbean Sea.
Despite the proximity of the sea, the city is very hot, due to the humidity of the lake and the fact that there are mountain ranges around it, although not very close. To the west we find the Sierra de Perijá, which marks the border with Colombia, while to the south-east we find the Cordillera de Mérida. However, from December to April there is a bit of wind which reduces the sensation of heat.
Maracaibo lies in the southernmost part of the trajectory of hurricanes, which can sometimes affect the north coast of Venezuela, although more rarely than in the central and northern part of the Caribbean. However, it cannot be ruled out that a hurricane or tropical storm can bring strong winds and abundant rains here as well. The hurricane season runs from June to November, although they are more likely from August to October.
The southwestern area of Lake Maracaibo, where the Catatumbo River flows into the lake, is one of the most prone to the formation of lightning in the world, although it must be said that many of them are formed between one cloud and another, without hitting the ground. Lightning strikes occur on average almost every second night.

Maracaibo - Climate data

The average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of 28.2 °C (82.7 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 30.0 °C (85.9 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 580 millimeters (22.8 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 3 mm (0.1 in) in the driest month (February) to 115 mm (4.5 in) in the wettest one (October). Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 25.5 °C (78 °F) in February to 28.5 °C (83 °F) in September, October, November. Here are the average sea temperatures.
There are on average around 3285 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Maracaibo - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 28.2 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 23.3 °C (74 °F) and a maximum of 33 °C (91.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (68.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 84% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (78.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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February is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 28.4 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 23.6 °C (74.5 °F) and a maximum of 33.2 °C (91.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (69 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 3 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 84% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (78.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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March is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 28.9 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 24.4 °C (75.9 °F) and a maximum of 33.4 °C (92.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 6 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (78.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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April is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 29.5 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 25.2 °C (77.4 °F) and a maximum of 33.7 °C (92.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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May is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 29.5 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 25.4 °C (77.6 °F) and a maximum of 33.7 °C (92.6 °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 36 °C (97 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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June is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 29.7 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 25.3 °C (77.5 °F) and a maximum of 34.2 °C (93.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (72 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
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 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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July is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 30.0 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 25.5 °C (77.8 °F) and a maximum of 34.5 °C (94 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (99 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 77% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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August, the hottest month of the year, is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 30.0 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 25.4 °C (77.8 °F) and a maximum of 34.5 °C (94.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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September is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 29.4 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 25 °C (76.9 °F) and a maximum of 33.9 °C (93.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (70 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (98 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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October is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.8 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 24.6 °C (76.4 °F) and a maximum of 32.9 °C (91.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 77% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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November is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.4 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) and a maximum of 32.4 °C (90.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (94.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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December, the least warm month of the year, is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 28.2 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 23.7 °C (74.7 °F) and a maximum of 32.6 °C (90.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (95.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27 °C (81 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.