Climate Overview
The climate in Esmeraldas is cold. The average annual temperature is -5°C and approximately 311mm of precipitation falls per year. December is the wettest month, receiving around 33mm of rainfall. Esmeraldas sits near the equator, so seasonal temperature differences are minimal throughout the year. Esmeraldas experiences heavy snowfall, typically from January through December.
Temperature
Esmeraldas sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from -16°C to 0°C. October is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 0°C with a mean of -1°C. March brings the harshest conditions, with lows dropping to -16°C and an average temperature of -11°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 4°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between February and March, with a 6°C shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Esmeraldas is a quite dry location, receiving approximately 311mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 26mm per month. The wettest month is January, averaging 33mm of rainfall. May and June also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is April, with just 7mm. That's 26mm less than January, the wettest month. Precipitation varies noticeably between seasons, with the second half (July to December) of the year generally seeing more rainfall. Esmeraldas receives heavy snowfall, accumulating around 311cm annually from January through December. The snowiest month is January, with approximately 33cm. Winter travel should account for significant snow cover.
Wind
Esmeraldas is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 10km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is January, averaging 13km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in October, with average winds dropping to 7km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 6km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months.
Seasons
16 days until Autumn
It is currently summer in Esmeraldas, which began on June 21, 2026. Esmeraldas sits near the equator, so the traditional four-season cycle is less pronounced — temperatures remain relatively stable year-round. The warmest period peaks in October at around 0°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in March near -16°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 16 days from now.
Spring
Temperatures range from -16 to -5°C. Rainfall is relatively light, with around 51mm over the season and a monthly average of 17mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 10km/h. Light layers work well as temperatures warm through the season — a great time to be outdoors.
Summer
Temperatures range from -6 to -1°C. Rainfall is relatively light, with around 98mm over the season and a monthly average of 33mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 12km/h. Comfortable clothing with a light layer for cooler evenings is all you need.
Autumn
Temperatures range from -3 to 0°C. Rainfall is relatively light, with around 82mm over the season and a monthly average of 27mm. Expect around 82cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 8km/h. Layered clothing works best as temperatures gradually cool — enjoy the crisp air and changing scenery.
Winter
Temperatures range from -12 to -1°C. Rainfall is relatively light, with around 81mm over the season and a monthly average of 27mm. Expect around 81cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 11km/h. Warm winter clothing and waterproof boots are a must, and travel may be affected by snow.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for Esmeraldas 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. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. 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.
