Weather in Arequipa

Planning your day in Arequipa? Check out the most up-to-date weather data, forecasts, and useful charts right in this section.

The climate in Arequipa, located in Peru, can be characterised as moderately arid or high-altitude desert. The city enjoys a large number of sunny days per year, and temperatures remain relatively stable without sharp seasonal fluctuations. The average annual temperature fluctuates within a comfortable range, making Arequipa attractive to visit at any time of the year.

Two seasons are clearly distinguished in Arequipa, mainly by the amount of rainfall. From January to March is the short wet season, when the bulk of annual precipitation falls (about 7-8 mm per month), and the highest number of days with precipitation is observed, reaching 27-29 days per month. However, even during this period, rains are usually not prolonged. The rest of the year, from April to December, is a long dry season. The months from May to October are particularly arid, when there is practically no precipitation, and the number of rainy days tends to zero.

Thanks to these climatic features, travellers can expect predominantly sunny weather in Arequipa. Daytime temperatures throughout the year range from 16°C to 20°C, while nighttime temperatures drop to 6°C - 10°C, especially during the dry season. This means that even in the "coldest" months (June-August), it is warm during the day, but evenings and nights can be cool. Therefore, it is recommended to bring clothing that can be easily combined.

The climate in Arequipa is characterised by moderate temperatures throughout the year, but with noticeable daily fluctuations. The annual range of average temperatures is not too large: the warmest months are typically October and November, when the average air temperature is around 14.5-14.7°C. September boasts the highest average daily maximums, reaching 19.9°C. The coolest months are June and July, with an average temperature of about 12.1-12.3°C and average nightly minimums dropping to 5.9-6.0°C.

The nominal "summer" period, which in Arequipa falls on the months from December to March (coinciding with the rainy season), is characterised by pleasant daytime temperatures, with the thermometer rising on average to 16-18°C. Nights at this time remain cool, with temperatures around 10-10.5°C. The "winter" months, from May to August, are the dry season. During this period, nights become noticeably colder, with minimum temperatures potentially dropping to 6°C, especially in June and July. However, days are often sunny, and the air warms up to a comfortable 18-19°C.

A characteristic feature of the weather in Arequipa is significant daily temperature fluctuations, especially pronounced during the dry season (from May to October). The difference between the maximum daytime and minimum nighttime temperature in these months often exceeds 10-12°C. For example, in August, the average maximum is 19.0°C, while the average minimum drops to 6.3°C. This means that even after a warm sunny day, evenings and nights can be quite crisp, which is important to consider when packing for a trip to Peru and, in particular, to Arequipa.

In Arequipa, there is a distinct seasonality of precipitation, with a clear division into wet and dry periods throughout the year. The wet season falls during the summer months of the Southern Hemisphere, while the winter months are characterised by an almost complete absence of rain.

The rainy season in Arequipa usually lasts from December to March, peaking in January, February, and March. The wettest month in terms of rainfall is February (8 mm), although January and March also receive a significant amount of moisture (7 mm each). Notably, it rains very frequently during these months: January sees 28 rainy days, February has 27, and March has as many as 29 days. This suggests that precipitation is likely in the form of frequent but not too intense rains or drizzle. April and December are transitional months, with less rainfall (2 mm) and fewer rainy days (11-13 days).

The dry season in Arequipa covers the period from May to October. During this time, precipitation is practically non-existent. June, July, August, and September are the driest months, when rainfall is zero, and there are either no rainy days at all (June, July, August) or just one such day in the entire month (as in September). Even in May and October, rainfall is minimal (0 mm), and the number of days with precipitation does not exceed two to four. November is also very dry, with 1 mm of precipitation and only 5 rainy days.

When packing for a trip to Arequipa, remember its high-altitude climate with plenty of sunny days and significant daily temperature fluctuations. During the day, the temperature is usually comfortable for walking, but by evening and early morning, it becomes noticeably cooler, especially from May to September, when night temperatures can drop to +6°C. The key to comfort is layered clothing: t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, a fleece or sweater, as well as a light but warm jacket or windbreaker. Be sure to bring comfortable closed-toe shoes for exploring the city, high SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, as the sun here is very active at any time of the year.

There are two clearly defined seasons in Arequipa. From January to March (and partly in December and April), the rainy season prevails. Although the total amount of precipitation is small (about 7-8 mm in the wettest months), there can be many rainy days, up to 28-29 per month, so a light waterproof jacket or a reliable umbrella will be very useful. From May to November, the dry season sets in with minimal rainfall. During this time, days are mostly sunny and warm, with temperatures reaching +19°C and above, but evenings and nights remain cool. Therefore, a warm sweater or jacket will be necessary for evening walks or early excursions. Regardless of the season, don't forget lip balm and moisturiser, as the air can be dry.