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The climate of Colombia
Columbia is a country located in the northwestern part of the South
American continent. The climate of Columbia is influenced by the
Caribbean Sea in the north, the Pacific Ocean in the west and the
mountainous regions which dominate the landscape in the west. The
largest part of Columbia has a tropical climate type with high
temperatures all year round and high annual precipitation figures,
especially in the coastal regions in the west and on the windward
side of the mountains. On the high plains east from these mountains
precipitation figures are fairly high. However, when you travel
further to the east precipitation figures decrease. The most
northeastern part of Columbia is the driest part of the country.
These regions have a combination of a warm desert climate and a warm
steppe climate. These climate types together with a warm maritime
climate also occur in the southwestern part of Columbia near the
border with Ecuador. It mainly depends on the altitude you are at
which climate type is applicable.
Climate information of places and areas in Colombia
The climate information given on this page is only brief. Specific
information on weather and climate can be found on the pages per
region or city. The following climate information is available for
Colombia:
Temperatures
Although Columbia is located in a region with mainly tropical climate
types not the entire country is tropical. This is caused by large
differences in altitude; if you travel higher, it gets colder. Both
the lower situated regions and the coastal regions in the west can
record average temperatures of about 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees
Fahrenheit). In the coastal regions in the north and northeast
average temperatures are about 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees
Fahrenheit). Regions located between 1,000-2,000 meters have an
average annual temperature of 16-19 degrees Celsius (61-66 degrees
Fahrenheit). Regions located between 2,000-3,000 meters have an
average annual temperature of 10-15 degrees Celsius (50-59 degrees
Fahrenheit). In these regions subzero temperatures may occur,
especially during the night. The highest peaks located above 4,000
meters are cold with eternal snow in many places. These high peaks
have a high mountain climate.
Rainy season
The seasons in Columbia are determined by their precipitation pattern.
The northern part has a rainy season from May until November. During
the rest of the year precipitation figures are fairly low here. The
coast along the Pacific Ocean has no distinct rainy season.
Precipitation figures are high here all year round; during the
wettest months up to 700-800 millimeters of precipitation can be
recorded. The capital Bogota is located centrally in Columbia and
has an annual precipitation figure of about 800 millimeters. In this
location two dry periods can be distinguished (December until March
and June until August) with two slightly wetter periods in between.
However, these periods cannot be classified as a real rainy season.
In the Amazon in the southern part of Columbia the seasons are
inverted. From June until September precipitation figures are lower
here. However, precipitation figures remain fairly high, even during
these ‘dry’ months: about 130-200 millimeters per month.
Hurricanes
The largest part of Columbia is located to the south of the region
with a risk of hurricanes. The northern part of the country is
located above 5 degrees north latitude, which in theory means there
is a risk of tropical storms here. However, because Columbia is
located on the leeward side of Venezuela hurricanes hardly have any
chance of reaching Columbia. Heavy rainfall does cause floods on a
regular basis. Other phenomena which may occur in Columbia include
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and landslides. Three active
volcanoes are situated in Columbia: Galeras, Nevado del Huila and
Nevado del Ruiz.
Climate figures
Throughout Columbia several climate figures and temperatures can be
recorded. The figures below are for the capital Bogota and cannot be
seen as an average for this country. For climate figures for other
places and regions in Columbia please, visit the individual climate
pages.
Climate figures
The figures below are based on long term weather and climate
records and are an average for Colombia. Please, note that local
deviations may occur, especially in the field of possible
precipitation quantities. The northern part of the country gets more
rain. The windward side of the mountains gets more rain and the
temperatures are lower in the interior during the winter.
More climate information
Climate figures are very useful but don’t present a general impression
of the climate and the eventual weather circumstances within a
certain period. The figures don’t always reflect the chance of
wintry weather, extreme heat or hurricanes. That is why we offer
useful extra climate information for each month of the year:
Disclaimer
The information at this site was carefully composed from climate data collected by meteorological services, meteorological offices, climate experts and other sources. “More climate info” is based on statistics, climate data and personal experience. No rights can be derived from this site. Weather has no memory and gives no guaranties. Nothing is as changeable and unpredictable as the weather. The authors of this site feel in no way responsible for any damages caused by misinterpretation or other circumstances that may influence your holiday or trip to a certain destination. We provide information, it’s up to the reader to use it to it’s benefit.
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= 0-5 mm ●
= 6-30 mm ●
= 31-60 mm ●
= 61-100 mm ●
= 101-200 mm ●
=
over 200 mm
