Climate of South America

World Climates covers 423 places in South America. By annual mean temperature, the warmest is Cabimas (30 °C86 °F) and the coolest is Punta Arenas (6 °C43 °F). The wettest is Quibdó with 4,409 mm174 in of precipitation per year, the driest Alto Hospicio with 8 mm0.3 in.

The most common climate types (Köppen classification computed from these averages) are tropical savanna (dry winter) (Aw, 161 places), humid subtropical (Cfa, 65 places), tropical monsoon (Am, 29 places) and tropical savanna (dry summer) (As, 29 places).

The highest monthly average high is in San Fernando de Apure (38 °C101 °F in March); the lowest monthly average low is in Potosí (−5 °C23 °F in July).

Across the places in South America, the months that most often rank as the most comfortable are June, July and August (215, 220 and 227 of 423 places respectively).

Frequently asked questions

Which is the warmest place in South America?

By annual mean temperature, the warmest place in South America is Cabimas at 30 °C86 °F. The coolest is Punta Arenas at 6 °C43 °F.

Where does it rain the most in South America?

Quibdó gets the most precipitation, 4,409 mm174 in in an average year. The driest place is Alto Hospicio with 8 mm0.3 in.

How many places in South America does this site cover?

World Climates has climate data for 423 places in South America. Each one has a page with monthly averages for temperature, rainfall, humidity and daylight.

When is the best time to visit South America?

It depends on the place. Across South America, the months that most often rank as the most comfortable are June, July and August. Check the page of each city for its own best months.