Climate
Despite its location in the tropics and the many micro climates found within the country, Guatemala City’s elevation and the resulting moderating influence of the higher altitude enable it to enjoy a subtropical highland climate (Köppen Cwb), though depending on location, it also borders on a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw). Temperatures are lowest in the south of the city which is at the highest altitude. Guatemala City is generally mild, almost springlike, throughout the course of the year. It occasionally gets warm during the dry season, but not as hot as other sea-level cities located in the tropics. The hottest month is April. The rainy season extends from May to October while the dry season covers the remainder of the year. The city is also very windy, which may decrease the apparent temperature.
The average annual temperature is 24 to 27 °C (75 to 81 °F)) during the day, and 14 to 17 °C (57 to 63 °F) at night.
Average morning relative humidity: 82%, evening relative humidity: 58%. Average dew point is 12 °C (54 °F).
| Climate data for Guatemala City - La Aurora Airport - 2010 - 2011. | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 28.7 (83.7) |
30.7 (87.3) |
29.9 (85.8) |
31.0 (87.8) |
29.5 (85.1) |
28.6 (83.5) |
28.1 (82.6) |
28.7 (83.7) |
28.2 (82.8) |
27.8 (82.0) |
27.8 (82.0) |
26.6 (79.9) |
31.0 (87.8) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 24.7 (76.5) |
26.2 (79.2) |
26.8 (80.2) |
27.7 (81.9) |
26.8 (80.2) |
25.6 (78.1) |
25.5 (77.9) |
24.5 (76.1) |
25.0 (77.0) |
24.3 (75.7) |
24.5 (76.1) |
23.4 (74.1) |
25.4 (77.7) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 18.4 (65.1) |
19.5 (67.1) |
19.5 (67.1) |
21.1 (70.0) |
20.9 (69.6) |
20.3 (68.5) |
20.4 (68.7) |
20.1 (68.2) |
19.8 (67.6) |
19.1 (66.4) |
19.0 (66.2) |
17.5 (63.5) |
19.6 (67.3) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 13.5 (56.3) |
14.8 (58.6) |
14.5 (58.1) |
16.7 (62.1) |
17.5 (63.5) |
17.3 (63.1) |
17.0 (62.6) |
17.0 (62.6) |
16.7 (62.1) |
13.4 (56.1) |
14.5 (58.1) |
12.8 (55.0) |
15.5 (59.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 9.4 (48.9) |
11.8 (53.2) |
11.2 (52.2) |
14.5 (58.1) |
15.3 (59.5) |
15.9 (60.6) |
15.3 (59.5) |
15.5 (59.9) |
16.1 (61.0) |
12.2 (54.0) |
9.9 (49.8) |
10.1 (50.2) |
9.4 (48.9) |
| Rainfall mm (inches) | 0.0 (0) |
4.3 (0.169) |
6.7 (0.264) |
61.6 (2.425) |
264.7 (10.421) |
300.0 (11.811) |
278.0 (10.945) |
442.4 (17.417) |
295.0 (11.614) |
206.0 (8.11) |
10.3 (0.406) |
0.8 (0.031) |
1,869.8 (73.614) |
| Avg. rainy days | 0 | 2 | 1.5 | 6.5 | 14.5 | 21 | 25.5 | 25 | 21 | 11.5 | 6 | 1 | 135.5 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 260.6 | 224.1 | 239.4 | 219.5 | 174.6 | 109.9 | 140.7 | 137.8 | 132.0 | 150.9 | 223.9 | 236.9 | 2,250.3 |
| Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia | |||||||||||||
Read more about this topic: Guatemala City
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—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)