Seasons in Guatemala

Guatemala is located in Central America and washed by the Pacific Ocean from the west and Honduran Bay of the Caribbean Sea (Atlantic Ocean) from east. This and diversity of relief define features of climate of the country.

Air of plain territories is more humid and warmer than in mountains. There three pronounced altitude related climatic zones:

  1. To 800 meters above sea level (2600 ft.) – hot and humid zone.
  2. 800-2000 m a.s.l. (2600-6500 ft.) – drier warm zone.
  3. Above 2000 m a.s.l (6500 ft.) – dry and cold zone.

Weather on most of territory of the country is subequatorial. Eastern lands near to the Caribbean Sea are rainiest in the country while western regions are the coolest. Temperature in coastal areas is about 25-27 °C (77-81 °F) year-round. Annual precipitation amount on the west of the country is 500 mm (20”) while on the east is 2500 mm (98”).


Seasons

Contents:

March-May in Guatemala

March and April are hottest months of a year. At this time temperature may rise to 35 °C (95 °F) however at evening it returns to regular marks of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). Overall weather at spring in Guatemala at spring is considered as uncertain.

Rains are constantly increasing frequency and intensity through whole spring. March is dry month but at May there are real tropical showers. Usually they begin after noon and may last for three hours. This isn’t the best time to spectating great Mayan heritage but water have comfortable temperature for seaside vacations about 28-30 °C (82-86 °F).

Climate from March to May

March
Max average t°: +26 °C (79 °F)
Min average t°: +13 °C (55 °F)
Sundial in the day: 9.5 hours
Rainy days: 3 days
Precipitation: 38 mm (1.5")
April
Max average t°: +26.5 °C (80 °F)
Min average t°: +14 °C (58 °F)
Sundial in the day: 9 hours
Rainy days: 10 days
Precipitation: 105 mm (4.1")
May
Max average t°: +26 °C (79 °F)
Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F)
Sundial in the day: 8.5 hours
Rainy days: 19 days
Precipitation: 276 mm (10.9")

(Guatemala City)

Spring Holidays

March-April – Easter celebrations with variable dates.

May 1 – International Worker’s Day.

May 10 – Mother’s Day.

June-August in Guatemala

Summer weather in Guatemala is hot and dry moreover it lasts longer than appropriate three month. Good half of a year is summer in the country from November to April. July is really hot with daytime temperature up to 40 °C (104 °F). Night brings relief lowering temperature to about 25 °C (77 °F). Showers are still out there.

Weather of July is slightly cooler but showers are still gathering steam to reach their peak at August. During this month good half of annual precipitation may fall so you can imagine the scale of rains. Good thing that by the end of August heavenly cracks begin to shut.


Climate from June to August

June
Max average t°: +24 °C (76 °F)
Min average t°: +15.5 °C (60 °F)
Sundial in the day: 7.5 hours
Rainy days: 23 days
Precipitation: 356 mm (14.0")
July
Max average t°: +24 °C (76 °F)
Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F)
Sundial in the day: 9 hours
Rainy days: 16 days
Precipitation: 189 mm (7.4")
August
Max average t°: +25 °C (77 °F)
Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F)
Sundial in the day: 8.5 hours
Rainy days: 20 days
Precipitation: 292 mm (11.5")

(Guatemala City)

Summer Holidays

June 30 – Army Day.

July 1 – Bank Holiday.

September-November in Guatemala

Gradual decreasing of precipitation increases touristic value of the country. So tourist’s season starts at September and October when rain can’t drown you after first step outside and isn’t melting everything. Temperature of air never reaches higher than 33 °C (91 °F) and water have about 29 °C (84 °F).

At November weather conditions are perfect for all kinds of activities either sightseeing or seaside recreation. This is the beginning of dry season which lasts to May. Cultural tourism is greatly developed in Guatemala due to numerous ancient Mayan localities and descendant tribes.


Climate from September to November

September
Max average t°: +24 °C (75 °F)
Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F)
Sundial in the day: 7 hours
Rainy days: 24 days
Precipitation:  382 mm (15.0")
October
Max average t°: +23.5 °C (74 °F)
Min average t°: +14.5 °C (58 °F)
Sundial in the day: 7.5 hours
Rainy days: 16 days
Precipitation: 241 mm (9.5")
November
Max average t°: +23 °C (74 °F)
Min average t°: +13 °C (56 °F)
Sundial in the day: 8 hours
Rainy days: 3 days
Precipitation: 36 mm (1.4")

(Guatemala City)

Autumn Holidays

September 15 – Independence Day.

October 12 – Día de la Raza.

October 20 – Revolution Day.

November 1 – All Saints' Day.

December-February in Guatemala

Actual winter in Guatemala is cool and rain. It lasts from May to October. As for calendar matters average daytime temperature at December is about 27 °C (81 °F) with drop to 17 °C (63 °F) at night. January is the driest month of a year with only 50 mm (2”) of precipitation. At this time cool winds are common thing along with fog after rare rains. It is the middle of two seasonal year in climate of Guatemala.

In mountainous regions average temperature is about 6 °C (43 °F) which is cool especially combined with cold winds. At February starts slow gradual growth of precipitation. At first is almost unnoticeable but leads to hard tropic rains at summer.

Climate from December to February

December
Max average t°: +23 °C (74 °F)
Min average t°: +12 °C (53 °F)
Sundial in the day: 9 hours
Rainy days: 0 days
Precipitation: 10 mm (0.4")
January
Max average t°: +23 °C (74 °F)
Min average t°: +12 °C (53 °F)
Sundial in the day: 9 hours
Rainy days: 1 day
Precipitation: 15 mm (0.6")
February
Max average t°: +24.5 °C (76 °F)
Min average t°: +12 °C (53 °F)
Sundial in the day: 9 hours
Rainy days: 2 days
Precipitation: 29 mm (1.1")

(Guatemala City)

Winter Holidays

December 24 – Christmas Eve.

December 25 – Christmas.

December 31 – New Year's Eve.

January 1 – New Year.


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