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Weather & Climate in Calama, Chile
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Calama experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 61°F in January while summers reach 48°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 335 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 0.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 7,464 feet.
Temperature
61°F Jan (16°C)
48°F Jul (9°C)
| Annual Average | 54.8°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 61°F (16°C) |
| July Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| Sunny Days | 335 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 7,464 ft (2,275 m) |
| Area | 13.3 sq mi (34.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 12,535/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -22.4567°N, 68.9237°W |
| Timezone | America/Santiago |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
1,971 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.4.
| Jul 19, 2024 | 41 km ESE of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile | M7.4 | 131 km | 127 km |
| Jun 3, 2020 | 48 km SW of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile | M6.8 | 102 km | 112 km |
| Mar 28, 2002 | 107 km NE of Calama, Chile | M6.5 | 107 km | 125 km |
| Jan 8, 2000 | 60 km NNE of Antofagasta, Chile | M6.4 | 146 km | 36 km |
| Jun 20, 2011 | 110 km NE of Calama, Chile | M6.4 | 111 km | 128 km |
| Mar 4, 2010 | 66 km ENE of Calama, Chile | M6.3 | 66 km | 114 km |
| Jul 12, 2010 | 80 km ENE of Calama, Chile | M6.3 | 81 km | 115 km |
| Jul 27, 2022 | Antofagasta, Chile | M6.2 | 46 km | 112 km |
| Jan 2, 2025 | 84 km NNW of Calama, Chile | M6.1 | 85 km | 99 km |
| Feb 16, 2008 | 134 km NNE of Calama, Chile | M6.1 | 135 km | 130 km |
| Jun 19, 2001 | 38 km ENE of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile | M6.0 | 112 km | 147 km |
| Mar 6, 2025 | 98 km S of Calama, Chile | M6.0 | 99 km | 96 km |
| Jun 10, 2015 | 50 km E of Calama, Chile | M6.0 | 51 km | 124 km |
| Nov 21, 1999 | 79 km N of Calama, Chile | M5.9 | 80 km | 101 km |
| Mar 2, 1999 | 37 km NW of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile | M5.9 | 52 km | 111 km |
| Aug 28, 2001 | 42 km NNE of Tocopilla, Chile | M5.9 | 147 km | 66 km |
| Jan 23, 2004 | 84 km NE of Antofagasta, Chile | M5.9 | 119 km | 72 km |
| Jan 6, 2017 | 77 km NNE of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile | M5.8 | 117 km | 172 km |
| Nov 14, 1993 | 38 km ESE of Calama, Chile | M5.8 | 38 km | 112 km |
| Jan 11, 2017 | 90 km SSE of Tocopilla, Chile | M5.8 | 99 km | 72 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 0.3 m (1 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2007 | NORTHERN CHILE | Earthquake | 0.3 m | 2 | 102 km |
| 1967 | NORTHERN CHILE | Earthquake | - | 1 | 103 km |
| 1948 | NORTHERN CHILE | Earthquake | - | - | 9 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
11 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: San Pedro-San Pablo (84 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| San Pedro-San Pablo | Stratovolcano(es) | 6,142 m (20,151 ft) | 1960 | 84 km |
| Azufre, Cerro del | Stratovolcano | 5,846 m (19,180 ft) | Unknown | 103 km |
| Sairecabur | Stratovolcano(es) | 5,971 m (19,590 ft) | Unknown | 110 km |
| Licancabur | Stratovolcano | 5,916 m (19,409 ft) | Unknown | 115 km |
| Purico Complex | Pyroclastic shield | 5,703 m (18,711 ft) | Unknown | 135 km |
| Guayaques | Lava dome(s) | 5,598 m (18,366 ft) | Unknown | 148 km |
| Lascar | Stratovolcano(es) | 5,592 m (18,346 ft) | 2017 | 159 km |
| Acamarachi | Stratovolcano | 6,023 m (19,760 ft) | Unknown | 163 km |
| Olca-Paruma | Stratovolcano(es) | 5,705 m (18,717 ft) | Unknown | 177 km |
| Tilocalar | Lava cone(es) | 3,109 m (10,200 ft) | Unknown | 187 km |
| Pampa Luxsar | Volcanic field | 5,543 m (18,186 ft) | Unknown | 194 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 61°F (16°C) | 0.3 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| February | 60°F (16°C) | 0.3 in | |
| March | 59°F (15°C) | 0.0 in | |
| April | 56°F (13°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 0.0 in | |
| June | 47°F (9°C) | 0.0 in | Coldest |
| July | 48°F (9°C) | 0.0 in | |
| August | 49°F (10°C) | 0.0 in | |
| September | 53°F (12°C) | 0.0 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 0.0 in | |
| November | 58°F (14°C) | 0.0 in | |
| December | 60°F (15°C) | 0.0 in |
Calama has a seasonal temperature swing of 14°F / from 47°F in June to 61°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 0.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (0.3") and April the driest (0.0").