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Weather & Climate in Colón, Costa Rica

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

Colón enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (19°C). Winters average 63°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 311 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 160.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 2,628 feet.

Temperature

63°F Jan (17°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average65.4°F
21% above US avg
January Average63°F (17°C)
July Average67°F (19°C)
Sunny Days311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,628 ft (801 m)
Area15.4 sq mi (39.9 km²)
Population Density629/sq mi
Coordinates9.9149°N, 84.2417°W
TimezoneAmerica/Costa_Rica

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 160.2"
322% above US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Sep) 15.08"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.75"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

618 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.6.

Apr 22, 1991 34 km S of Limón, Costa Rica M7.6 131 km 10 km
Sep 5, 2012 11 km ENE of Hojancha, Costa Rica M7.6 119 km 35 km
Mar 25, 1990 7 km SSE of Puntarenas, Costa Rica M7.3 62 km 22 km
Aug 20, 1999 42 km S of Quepos, Costa Rica M6.9 97 km 20 km
Mar 7, 1992 5 km SW of Río Segundo, Costa Rica M6.6 34 km 79 km
Oct 24, 2012 Costa Rica M6.5 117 km 17 km
Jun 16, 2002 55 km WSW of Ciudad Cortés, Costa Rica M6.4 129 km 35 km
Apr 28, 1990 8 km SSE of Ciudad Cortés, Costa Rica M6.4 140 km 23 km
Mar 25, 1990 11 km E of Paquera, Costa Rica M6.4 65 km 27 km
Jul 21, 2000 55 km SSE of Sámara, Costa Rica M6.4 132 km 33 km
Mar 16, 1991 15 km N of Nandayure, Costa Rica M6.3 107 km 33 km
Mar 1, 1991 13 km SE of Los Chiles, Costa Rica M6.2 122 km 197 km
Apr 24, 1991 16 km SE of La Suiza, Costa Rica M6.2 82 km 13 km
Sep 4, 1996 13 km WSW of Quepos, Costa Rica M6.2 61 km 33 km
Jan 8, 2009 10 km NNE of Sabanilla, Costa Rica M6.1 28 km 14 km
Jun 1, 2010 12 km SSW of Quepos, Costa Rica M6.0 65 km 18 km
Dec 22, 1990 2 km NNE of Santiago, Costa Rica M6.0 8 km 17 km
May 13, 2011 7 km ESE of Atenas, Costa Rica M5.9 9 km 73 km
May 20, 2010 25 km SW of Quepos, Costa Rica M5.9 75 km 21 km
Aug 28, 1996 15 km S of Parrita, Costa Rica M5.9 60 km 33 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

4 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.

Year Name Category Max Wind Closest
2022 Julia Category 1 86 mph 270 km
2016 Otto Category 3 115 mph 122 km
1996 Cesar Category 1 86 mph 253 km
1988 Joan:miriam Category 4 144 mph 221 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tsunami History

9 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.0 m (10 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1991 LIMON, PANDORA Earthquake 3.0 m 90 131 km
1950 COSTA RICA-NICARAGUA Earthquake 2.0 m 146 km
1990 COSTA RICA Earthquake 1.0 m 56 km
2012 COSTA RICA Earthquake 0.2 m 2 119 km
1952 COSTA RICA-PANAMA Earthquake 0.1 m 108 km
2019 IRAZU VOLCANO Explosion 43 km
1924 COSTA RICA Earthquake 47 km
1905 GULF OF NICOYA Earthquake 49 km
1822 MATINA Earthquake 144 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

10 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Barva (29 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Barva Complex 2,906 m (9,534 ft) -6050 29 km
Poas Stratovolcano 2,708 m (8,885 ft) 2019 32 km
Irazu Stratovolcano 3,432 m (11,260 ft) 1994 43 km
Platanar Stratovolcano(es) 2,267 m (7,438 ft) Unknown 45 km
Turrialba Stratovolcano 3,340 m (10,958 ft) 2019 53 km
Arenal Stratovolcano 1,670 m (5,479 ft) 2010 79 km
Tenorio Stratovolcano(es) 1,916 m (6,286 ft) Unknown 119 km
Miravalles Stratovolcano 2,028 m (6,654 ft) 1946 136 km
Rincon de la Vieja Complex 1,916 m (6,286 ft) 2020 156 km
Orosi Stratovolcano(es) 1,659 m (5,443 ft) Unknown 179 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 63°F (17°C) 0.8 in Coldest, Driest
February 71°F (22°C) 1.0 in
March 73°F (23°C) 1.3 in
April 74°F (23°C) 4.1 in Warmest
May 73°F (23°C) 11.9 in
June 72°F (22°C) 12.8 in
July 67°F (19°C) 10.0 in
August 71°F (22°C) 12.9 in
September 71°F (22°C) 15.1 in Wettest
October 70°F (21°C) 14.7 in
November 70°F (21°C) 7.4 in
December 70°F (21°C) 2.2 in

Colón has a seasonal temperature swing of 11°F / from 63°F in January to 74°F in April. Total annual precipitation is 94.0 inches, with September being the wettest month (15.1") and January the driest (0.8").

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