Guatemala City is famously known as the "Land of Eternal Spring" (La Tierra de la Eterna Primavera). Located at an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) in the central highlands, the city enjoys a subtropical highland climate that avoids the sweltering heat of the coasts and the bitter cold of the highest mountain peaks.
Typical Weather Patterns
The weather is defined more by precipitation than by temperature shifts. There are two primary seasons:
- Verano (Dry Season): November to April. Characterized by clear sapphire skies, low humidity, and consistent sunshine.
- Invierno (Rainy Season): May to October. Involves high humidity and predictable daily rainfall, though mornings often remain bright and clear.
Daily Climate Rhythm
A typical day in Guatemala City follows a reliable cycle. In the dry season, mornings are crisp and cool, warming up rapidly by midday to comfortable temperatures around 25°C (77°F). In the rainy season, the "tropical clock" takes over: sunny mornings give way to building clouds by 2:00 PM, resulting in vigorous afternoon or evening thunderstorms. These downpours are often intense but brief, often clearing the air for a mild, damp evening.
Seasonal Trends
- The Hottest Months (March – May): Just before the rains arrive, temperatures reach their annual peak, often creeping into the low 30s°C (high 80s°F). This period is also when the city can experience haze or smog trapped by the surrounding volcanic basin.
- The Coolest Months (November – January): After the rains cease, cool air masses from the north (los nortes) can sweep through, dropping nighttime temperatures to 10°C–12°C (50°F–54°F). This is the windiest time of year, with gusts providing a refreshing chill.
- The Rainiest Months (June & September): These months see the highest volume of rainfall, often linked to tropical depressions or the proximity of the Intertropical Convergence Zone.
Specific Weather Phenomena
- La Canícula: Also known as the veranillo (little summer), this is a unique break in the rainy season that usually occurs in July or August. For two to three weeks, the rains suddenly diminish, and the city experiences a stretch of hot, dry, and brilliantly sunny days in the middle of the wet season.
- Volcanic Influence: The city is flanked by volcanoes (Agua, Fuego, and Pacaya). While they don't change the temperature, they influence wind patterns and can occasionally create localized cloud caps or lenticular formations over the peaks.
Microclimates and Variations
Because Guatemala City is built across a series of deep ravines (barrancos) and ridges, microclimates exist within the city itself.
- Highland Ridges: Areas like Zone 10 or 15 may feel windier and slightly cooler.
- Valley Floors: The deeper ravines can trap humidity and fog, particularly in the early morning during the transition months of May and October.
How Locals Experience the Weather
Locals, or Capitalinos, view the first rains of May as a seasonal rebirth, cooling the dusty air of the late dry season. While the temperature is stable, residents are highly sensitive to small shifts; a drop to 12°C (54°F) is considered "bitterly cold" and prompts heavy woolen ponchos or jackets. The concept of "layering" is a way of life here, as the temperature can fluctuate by as much as 15°C (27°F) between sunrise and mid-afternoon.
What the Weather "Feels Like"
Beyond the numbers, the weather feels translucent during the dry season—the high-altitude sun is piercingly bright, making it feel warmer than the thermometer suggests, while the shade remains instantly cool. During the rainy season, the air feels heavy and floral, as the moisture interacts with the lush tropical vegetation covering the city's many green belts.