Weather in Guatemala City

Planning your day in Guatemala City or just want to stay informed about nature's whims? In this section, you will find up-to-date weather information, detailed forecasts, and visual charts to help you plan everything in the best possible way.

The climate in Guatemala City can be characterized as temperate highland, often called "eternal spring" due to pleasant temperatures throughout the year. Annual average temperatures fluctuate slightly, remaining in a comfortable range from approximately 18°C to 22°C. Daytime highs are usually within 23°C - 28°C, and night lows drop to 12°C - 16°C, ensuring warm days and pleasantly cool evenings.

In Guatemala City, two main seasons are clearly observed: the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season usually lasts from November to April. During this period, especially from December to March, rainfall is minimal, and there are many sunny days. The rainy season, conversely, falls during the months from May to October. At this time, the probability of rain is significantly higher, with the highest amount of precipitation and rainy days in June and September. However, even in the rainy season, showers are often short-lived, usually occurring in the afternoon, leaving enough time for walks and sightseeing.

Guatemala City experiences a fairly stable temperature regime throughout the year, confirming its reputation as the city of "eternal spring". Average annual temperatures fluctuate within a narrow range, from 18.4°C in January and December to 21.6°C in May. The hottest months, based on daily averages and maximum daytime temperatures, are April (average temperature 21.5°C, daily max up to 27.8°C) and May (average temperature 21.6°C, daily max up to 26.8°C). The coolest months are considered to be December and January, when the average temperature holds at 18.4°C, and night lows can drop to 12.6°C - 13.0°C.

The conditionally "summer" months, which mostly coincide with the rainy season (roughly from May to October), are characterized by warm days and mild nights. In May, the average temperature reaches its peak at 21.6°C, with daytime highs hovering around 26-27°C, and night lows rarely dropping below 16°C. From June to September, average temperatures decrease slightly to a range of 20.3-20.5°C, daytime peaks are a comfortable 24-25°C, and nights remain pleasantly warm (around 15-16°C). The "winter" period, or dry season (from November to April), brings cooler nights and very comfortable days. In November-January, average temperatures are 18.4-18.9°C, daytime highs reach 23-24°C, and nights can be quite fresh, with temperatures of 12.6-14.3°C. By February-April, the temperature gradually rises, heralding the arrival of the warmer season, with daytime highs again reaching 26-28°C in April.

One of the characteristic features of the Guatemala City climate is noticeable daily temperature fluctuations. The difference between daytime highs and night lows often amounts to 10-13°C; this is especially pronounced in the dry season (for example, in February and March the difference can reach 13°C, with a daily high of 26.0-27.4°C and a night low of 12.9-14.1°C). In the rainy season, these fluctuations smooth out somewhat but are still perceptible, amounting to about 8-10°C (for example, in June with a high of 24.7°C and a low of 16.1°C). This means that even after a very warm day, the evening and night can bring pleasant coolness, so a light jacket or sweater may be useful for evening walks at any time of year. Overall, the city's temperature regime is very comfortable for visiting year-round.

In Guatemala City, there is a clear division of the year into two main seasons based on precipitation: the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season usually lasts from November to April, while the rainy season falls during the period from May to October. The nature of precipitation is predominantly rain; snow is atypical for this region.

The dry season is characterized by minimal rainfall and a small number of rainy days. The driest months are January, February, March, and December, when the average rainfall is 0 mm, and the number of rainy days ranges from 1 (in February) to 3. February stands out as the driest month of the year. November and April can be considered transitional months: in November about 2 mm of precipitation falls with 10 rainy days, and in April — also 2 mm of precipitation, but with 11 rainy days, which foreshadows the onset of the wet period.

The rainy season, covering the period from May to October, brings a significant increase in the frequency of precipitation. The highest number of rainy days falls in June and September — on average 27 days in each. These same months are also the "wettest" in terms of rainfall volume, although with relatively small figures: 10 mm in June and 7 mm in September. In May, July, August, and October, a high frequency of rain is also observed — from 20 to 24 rainy days per month, while the amount of precipitation ranges from 4 mm to 6 mm. This indicates that during the rainy season, precipitation is likely frequent but may not be too abundant in volume.

When planning a trip to Guatemala City, it is important to consider the peculiarities of the local climate, characterized as "eternal spring," but with a clear division into dry and rainy seasons. Regardless of the time of year, the basis of your wardrobe should be comfortable walking shoes, as the city is conducive to walking. Due to noticeable daily temperature fluctuations, when warm days are replaced by cool evenings (the difference can reach 10-13°C), the principle of layering will be your best friend. Light t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, a thin sweater or fleece jacket, as well as a light jacket or windbreaker will allow you to feel comfortable at any time of day. Don't forget sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, as the sun in the highlands can be quite active even on cloudy days.

If your trip falls during the dry season (from November to April), focus on light clothing for the daytime: t-shirts, shorts, light trousers, or skirts. Evenings, especially in December-February, can be quite cool (minimum temperatures drop to 12-14°C), so a warm sweater or light jacket will be very handy. Although precipitation during this period is minimal (0-2 mm), a small folding umbrella or a light waterproof windbreaker may be useful, especially in transitional months such as November and April, when the number of rainy days increases slightly.

During the rainy season (from May to October), protection from moisture becomes of paramount importance. In these months, the number of rainy days increases sharply (up to 27 days in June and September), and although the rains are often short-lived but intense, a reliable umbrella and/or a high-quality raincoat (preferably light and breathable) will become indispensable companions. It is better to choose clothes made of quick-drying materials. Despite the rains, the temperature remains comfortable (on average 20-22°C), so heavy warm clothes will not be needed, but a light jacket or sweater for evening coolness and wind protection after rain will be useful. It is also worth thinking about a second pair of shoes in case one gets wet.