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Weather & Climate in Copiapó, Chile

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

Copiapó enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 66°F in January while summers reach 51°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 0.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 1,250 feet.

Temperature

66°F Jan (19°C) 51°F Jul (11°C)
Annual Average58.1°F
8% above US avg
January Average66°F (19°C)
July Average51°F (11°C)
Sunny Days335 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,250 ft (381 m)
Area13.2 sq mi (34.3 km²)
Population Density9,764/sq mi
Coordinates-27.3674°N, 70.3322°W
TimezoneAmerica/Santiago

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 0.3"
99% below US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jul) 0.16"
Driest Month (Mar) 0.04"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

1,026 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.8.

Jan 30, 2013 54 km N of Vallenar, Chile M6.8 87 km 45 km
Apr 30, 2006 78 km WNW of Copiapó, Chile M6.7 79 km 12 km
Apr 18, 2002 31 km SW of Copiapó, Chile M6.7 31 km 62 km
Mar 15, 1993 93 km NW of Copiapó, Chile M6.7 94 km 29 km
Apr 30, 2006 73 km WNW of Copiapó, Chile M6.5 74 km 12 km
Jun 6, 2025 45 km SW of Diego de Almagro, Chile M6.4 81 km 75 km
Mar 26, 2010 69 km N of Vallenar, Chile M6.3 81 km 42 km
Jul 25, 2016 54 km WNW of Diego de Almagro, Chile M6.1 141 km 72 km
Mar 19, 1993 93 km NW of Copiapó, Chile M6.0 94 km 29 km
Aug 27, 2004 47 km W of Copiapó, Chile M5.9 47 km 30 km
Apr 4, 2023 62 km W of Copiapó, Chile M5.9 63 km 53 km
Apr 30, 2006 89 km W of Copiapó, Chile M5.9 89 km 35 km
Jan 8, 2022 110 km NW of Copiapó, Chile M5.9 110 km 13 km
Nov 30, 1995 73 km SW of Copiapó, Chile M5.8 73 km 20 km
Aug 3, 1995 114 km WNW of Vinchina, Argentina M5.8 148 km 104 km
Apr 30, 2006 83 km WNW of Copiapó, Chile M5.8 83 km 34 km
Apr 30, 2006 86 km W of Copiapó, Chile M5.8 87 km 37 km
Jun 21, 1992 62 km WSW of Diego de Almagro, Chile M5.8 101 km 39 km
Sep 15, 2023 122 km W of Copiapó, Chile M5.7 122 km 8 km
Apr 30, 2006 89 km W of Copiapó, Chile M5.7 90 km 20 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tsunami History

5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 6.0 m (20 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1859 NORTHERN CHILE Earthquake 6.0 m 10 3 km
1922 NORTHERN CHILE Earthquake 5.5 m 700 113 km
1819 NORTHERN CHILE Earthquake 4.0 m — 123 km
1983 NORTHERN CHILE Earthquake 0.2 m 5 95 km
1903 NORTHERN CHILE Earthquake — — 142 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Ojos del Salado, Nevados (179 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Ojos del Salado, Nevados Stratovolcano 6,879 m (22,569 ft) 750 179 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 66°F (19°C) 0.0 in Warmest, Driest
February 65°F (19°C) 0.0 in
March 63°F (17°C) 0.0 in
April 59°F (15°C) 0.0 in
May 55°F (13°C) 0.0 in
June 51°F (11°C) 0.0 in
July 51°F (11°C) 0.2 in Coldest, Wettest
August 52°F (11°C) 0.1 in
September 55°F (13°C) 0.0 in
October 57°F (14°C) 0.0 in
November 60°F (16°C) 0.0 in
December 64°F (18°C) 0.0 in

Copiapó has a seasonal temperature swing of 15°F / from 51°F in July to 66°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 0.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (0.2") and January the driest (0.0").

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