Climate Insights for Calama

The climate in Calama is temperate. The average annual temperature is 14°C and approximately 60mm of precipitation falls per year. February is the wettest month, receiving around 23mm of rainfall. Calama is in the Southern Hemisphere. The seasons are reversed — summer runs from December to February, while winter falls between June and August. The summer months are: December, November, January. The coldest months are July, June, August, when temperatures can drop to 3°C.

Temperatures in Calama vary considerably across the year, with a 21°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. December is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 24°C with a mean of 16°C. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 3°C and an average of 10°C. The average daily temperature swing is 16°C, meaning significant differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures. The sharpest temperature change occurs between April and May, with a 2°C shift in average temperatures.

Calama is a quite dry location, receiving approximately 60mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 5mm per month. The wettest month is February, averaging 23mm of rainfall. January and June also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is November, with just 0mm. That's 23mm less than February, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.

Calama is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 3km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is November, averaging 4km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in February, with average winds dropping to 3km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 1km/h between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently winter in Calama, which began on June 21, 2026. Calama is in the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed — spring starts in September, summer in December, autumn in March, and winter in June. The warmest period peaks in December at around 24°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near 3°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 93 days from now.

The best time to visit Calama is during January, February, March, November and December, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 16°C with modest rainfall averaging 8mm per month. By contrast, July can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 3°C. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Calama based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.