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Weather & Climate in Arica, Chile

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Arica enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 71°F in January while summers reach 59°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 336 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 0.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 262 feet.

Temperature

71°F Jan (22°C) 59°F Jul (15°C)
Annual Average64.9°F
20% above US avg
January Average71°F (22°C)
July Average59°F (15°C)
Sunny Days336 days/yr

Geography

Elevation262 ft (80 m)
Area16.8 sq mi (43.5 km²)
Population Density14,384/sq mi
Coordinates-18.4755°N, 70.3006°W
TimezoneAmerica/Santiago

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 0.1"
100% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jul) 0.04"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.04"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1,229 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M8.2.

Apr 1, 2014 93 km NW of Iquique, Chile M8.2 135 km 25 km
Nov 30, 1999 127 km ESE of Arica, Chile M6.6 128 km 128 km
Nov 13, 2009 92 km N of Iquique, Chile M6.5 102 km 27 km
Mar 23, 2015 94 km SW of Curahuara de Carangas, Bolivia M6.4 120 km 130 km
Oct 10, 2017 58 km E of Arica, Chile M6.3 59 km 85 km
Mar 6, 2011 68 km ESE of Palca, Peru M6.3 111 km 118 km
Jan 21, 2018 100 km ESE of Arica, Chile M6.3 101 km 116 km
Dec 12, 1994 45 km E of Estique, Peru M6.3 134 km 148 km
Mar 23, 2014 93 km NW of Iquique, Chile M6.3 147 km 21 km
Apr 1, 1997 73 km SE of Palca, Peru M6.2 84 km 114 km
May 14, 2012 40 km ENE of Palca, Peru M6.2 116 km 106 km
Apr 1, 1997 90 km SE of Palca, Peru M6.2 102 km 116 km
May 6, 2010 21 km S of Las Yaras, Peru M6.2 53 km 37 km
Apr 17, 2009 77 km NNW of Iquique, Chile M6.1 125 km 25 km
Jul 13, 2005 13 km NE of Calana, Peru M5.9 73 km 80 km
Feb 10, 1990 123 km S of Pacocha, Peru M5.9 126 km 34 km
May 10, 1994 76 km NNE of Iquique, Chile M5.9 137 km 52 km
Dec 15, 1991 14 km SSW of Totoral, Peru M5.9 107 km 104 km
Jan 27, 2004 31 km SE of El Algarrobal, Peru M5.8 108 km 57 km
Jun 23, 2001 21 km S of Pacocha, Peru M5.8 131 km 33 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tsunami History

7 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 18.0 m (59 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1868 NORTHERN CHILE Earthquake 18.0 m 25,000 75 km
1604 S. PERU Earthquake 5.0 m 174 95 km
2014 NORTHERN CHILE Earthquake 4.6 m 7 135 km
1869 NORTHERN CHILE Earthquake 2.0 m — 125 km
1868 NORTHERN CHILE Earthquake 0.2 m — 75 km
1895 NORTHERN CHILE Earthquake — — 91 km
1715 PERU Earthquake — — 141 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Taapaca (94 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Taapaca Complex 5,860 m (19,226 ft) -320 94 km
Tacora Stratovolcano(es) 5,980 m (19,619 ft) Unknown 101 km
Parinacota Stratovolcano 6,336 m (20,787 ft) 290 127 km
Yucamane Stratovolcano(es) 5,495 m (18,028 ft) -1320 144 km
Tutupaca Stratovolcano(es) 5,801 m (19,032 ft) 1802 161 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 71°F (22°C) 0.0 in Driest
February 72°F (22°C) 0.0 in Warmest
March 71°F (21°C) 0.0 in
April 67°F (19°C) 0.0 in
May 63°F (17°C) 0.0 in
June 60°F (16°C) 0.0 in
July 59°F (15°C) 0.0 in Coldest, Wettest
August 59°F (15°C) 0.0 in
September 60°F (16°C) 0.0 in
October 63°F (17°C) 0.0 in
November 66°F (19°C) 0.0 in
December 69°F (20°C) 0.0 in

Arica has a seasonal temperature swing of 13°F / from 59°F in July to 72°F in February. Total annual precipitation is 0.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (0.0") and January the driest (0.0").

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