Weather in Latacunga

To ensure your trip to the city of Latacunga is as comfortable as possible, familiarise yourself with the latest meteorological summary. Below you will find data on the current weather, detailed charts, and forecasts for the near future.

The climate of Latacunga can be characterised as cool and high-altitude, typical for cities located in the Andes. Due to its proximity to the equator, there are no sharp seasonal temperature fluctuations: the weather remains surprisingly stable throughout the year, resembling an eternal cool autumn.

The average air temperature holds steady at 10–11°C, with daytime highs rarely exceeding 15°C, while nights are always brisk and cold, with temperatures around 5–7°C. Travellers should arrange for warm layered clothing in advance, as a sense of chill is constantly present here.

A distinctive feature of the local weather is the high frequency of precipitation despite its small total volume. Rainy or overcast days occur very often — practically all year round; however, the rains usually take the form of light drizzle or brief showers rather than downpours. A relatively drier period is observed from June to September, when the number of wet days decreases slightly, offering better chances to see clear skies.

The climate of Latacunga is distinguished by remarkable consistency, which is characteristic of the high-altitude regions of Ecuador. There are no clearly defined temperature seasons here: throughout the year, the average air temperature remains stable, fluctuating within a narrow range from 10.0°C to 11.1°C. This creates the feeling of an eternal cool spring, where extreme heat or severe frosts are practically excluded. Travellers can expect moderately cool weather regardless of the month chosen for the trip.

Looking at the annual cycle in more detail, the nominally 'warm' period falls in September, when daytime highs reach their peak on average around 15.5°C. The coolest month can be considered July with an average temperature of 10.0°C and daytime figures around 14.3°C. However, even on the coldest nights, which most often occur in August (down to 5.4°C), the temperature rarely drops to extremely low values, remaining within the limits of brisk mountain freshness.

An important feature of the weather in Latacunga is the tangible contrast between day and night temperatures. The difference between the daily maximum and minimum can be around 8–10 degrees. During the day, when the air warms up to 14–15°C, the weather feels mild and comfortable for active walks. However, immediately after sunset, it becomes noticeably cooler, and the temperature drops to 6–7°C. Therefore, layered clothing will be the best choice for a tourist: a light jumper is sufficient for the day, but a warm jacket will definitely be needed in the evening.

Precipitation in Latacunga has a unique feature characteristic of the high-altitude Andean climate: despite a very high frequency of rainy days, their intensity remains extremely low. Instead of heavy tropical downpours, fine drizzle, mist, or brief light rains prevail here. Travellers should be prepared for humidity to be constantly present in the air, and the weather may change several times during the day.

The wettest period lasts from October to May. During these months, especially in March and December, precipitation can occur almost daily — statistics record from 28 to 30 rainy days per month. At the same time, the total volume of water is small (maximum about 10 mm in March), which confirms the nature of the precipitation: it is more of a constant light drizzle than pouring rain.

The relatively 'dry' season, if it can be called that, falls in the period from June to September. August is considered the most favourable month for a visit, when the amount of precipitation drops to a minimum (about 2 mm), and the number of days with precipitation falls to 18. Nevertheless, even in the height of summer, the probability of getting caught in light rain remains high, so a waterproof jacket will be an indispensable wardrobe item at any time of the year.

Since Latacunga is located in the Andean highlands, the weather here remains cool all year round. Daytime temperatures rarely exceed +15°C, and at night can drop to +5...+7°C. The main secret of comfort in such a climate is the principle of layering. Be sure to take thermal underwear, fleece tops, and warm sweaters that can be easily put on or taken off depending on the time of day. A light down jacket or an insulated parka will be indispensable items for evening walks.

Particular attention should be paid to protection from moisture, as rainy days happen here very often, practically in any month of the year. Even in the 'dry' season (July–August), the probability of precipitation remains high. Your suitcase must contain a high-quality raincoat or a waterproof windbreaker with a hood. Choose closed, comfortable, and waterproof footwear — trekking boots are ideal for walks on the city's cobblestones and trips to the volcanoes.

Despite the coolness, the sun in the mountains of Ecuador is very active, so do not forget to put sunscreen with a high protection factor, sunglasses, and a hat or cap in your luggage. For early morning departures or overnight stays in the vicinity of the city, a beanie, scarf, and gloves will also come in handy. Such a set of items will allow you to enjoy your journey without being distracted by changeable weather and frequent drizzle.