Climate Overview
The climate in Calama is temperate. The average annual temperature is 14°C and approximately 52mm of precipitation falls per year. February is the wettest month, receiving around 17mm 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 June, July, August, when temperatures can drop to 4°C.
Temperature
Calama sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 4°C to 23°C. December is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 23°C with a mean of 17°C. June is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 4°C and an average of 11°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 15°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between April and May, with a 2°C shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Calama is a quite dry location, receiving approximately 52mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 4mm per month. The wettest month is February, averaging 17mm of rainfall. March and January also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is November, with just 0mm. 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.
Wind
Calama is moderately windy, with an average annual wind speed of 22km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is October, averaging 25km/h, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in June, with average winds dropping to 20km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 5km/h between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to pick up during the summer months. The seasonal averages are 20km/h in winter, 24km/h in spring, 24km/h in summer, 21km/h in autumn.
Seasons
89 days until Winter
It is currently autumn in Calama, which began on March 20, 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 23°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in June near 4°C. Winter is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 89 days from now.
Spring
Temperatures range from 6 to 23°C. Precipitation is minimal, with only around 1mm for the entire season. Winds are moderate at around 24km/h. Light layers work well as temperatures warm through the season — a great time to be outdoors.
Summer
Temperatures range from 9 to 23°C. Precipitation is minimal, with only around 29mm for the entire season. Winds are moderate at around 24km/h. Comfortable clothing with a light layer for cooler evenings is all you need.
Autumn
Temperatures range from 5 to 22°C. Precipitation is minimal, with only around 15mm for the entire season. Winds are moderate at around 21km/h. Layered clothing works best as temperatures gradually cool — enjoy the crisp air and changing scenery.
Winter
Temperatures range from 4 to 20°C. Precipitation is minimal, with only around 8mm for the entire season. Winds are moderate at around 20km/h. A light jacket or sweater is usually sufficient, though cooler evenings may call for an extra layer.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Calama is during January, February, March, October, November and December, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 16°C with modest rainfall averaging 7mm per month. By contrast, June can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 4°C. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.
Monthly Climate Data
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.