Climate Overview
The climate in Popayán is temperate. The average annual temperature is 13°C and approximately 1666mm of precipitation falls per year. Popayán receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Popayán sits near the equator, so seasonal temperature differences are minimal throughout the year.
Temperature
Popayán has relatively stable temperatures year-round, staying within a 9°C range. September is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 18°C with a mean of 13°C. August is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 9°C and an average of 13°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 8°C between highs and lows.
Precipitation
Popayán is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1666mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 139mm per month. The wettest month is March, averaging 251mm of rainfall. November and April also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is August, with just 53mm. That's 198mm less than March, the wettest month. Precipitation varies noticeably between seasons, with the first half (January to June) of the year generally seeing more rainfall.
Wind
Popayán is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 11km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is August, averaging 15km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in November, with average winds dropping to 8km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 7km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to pick up during the summer months. The seasonal averages are 9km/h in winter, 9km/h in spring, 14km/h in summer, 10km/h in autumn.
Seasons
89 days until Summer
It is currently spring in Popayán, which began on March 20, 2026. Popayán sits near the equator, so the traditional four-season cycle is less pronounced — temperatures remain relatively stable year-round. The warmest period peaks in September at around 18°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in August near 9°C. Summer is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 89 days from now.
Spring
Temperatures range from 10 to 18°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 578mm across the season with a monthly average of 193mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 9km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.
Summer
Temperatures range from 9 to 17°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 219mm for the season, averaging 73mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 14km/h. Comfortable clothing with a light layer for cooler evenings is all you need.
Autumn
Temperatures range from 9 to 18°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 404mm across the season with a monthly average of 135mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 10km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from 10 to 18°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 465mm across the season with a monthly average of 155mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 9km/h. A light jacket or sweater is usually sufficient, though cooler evenings may call for an extra layer.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for Popayán 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.
