Climate Insights for San Pedro de Atacama

The climate in San Pedro de Atacama is temperate. The average annual temperature is 15°C and approximately 83mm of precipitation falls per year. February is the wettest month, receiving around 36mm of rainfall. San Pedro de Atacama 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, January, November. The coldest months are June, July, August, when temperatures can drop to 3°C.

Temperatures in San Pedro de Atacama vary considerably across the year, with a 24°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is December, when average highs reach 27°C and the mean temperature sits around 19°C. June is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 3°C and an average of 10°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 3°C shift in average temperatures.

San Pedro de Atacama is a quite dry location, receiving approximately 83mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 7mm per month. The wettest month is February, averaging 36mm of rainfall. January and March also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is November, with just 0mm. That's 36mm 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.

San Pedro de Atacama is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 8km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is September, averaging 8km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in March, with average winds dropping to 7km/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 spring in San Pedro de Atacama, which began on September 23, 2026. San Pedro de Atacama 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 27°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in June near 3°C. Summer is next, beginning on December 21, 2026 (87 days from now).

The best time to visit San Pedro de Atacama is during January, February, March, April, October, November and December, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 18°C with modest rainfall averaging 10mm per month. By contrast, June 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 San Pedro de Atacama 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.