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Weather & Climate in La Escalera, Mexico
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Escalera enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 64°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 362 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 18.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 5,476 feet.
Temperature
64°F Jan (18°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 68.4°F |
| 27% above US avg | |
| January Average | 64°F (18°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 362 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,476 ft (1,669 m) |
| Area | 48.3 sq mi (125.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 16/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 16.4689°N, 96.6053°W |
| Timezone | America/Mexico_City |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
1,450 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.5.
| Sep 30, 1999 | 15 km W of San Baltazar Loxicha, Mexico | M7.5 | 57 km | 61 km |
| Jun 23, 2020 | 9 km SE of Santa María Xadani, Mexico | M7.4 | 91 km | 20 km |
| Feb 16, 2018 | 4 km S of Pinotepa de Don Luis, Mexico | M7.2 | 147 km | 22 km |
| Feb 3, 1998 | 2 km E of Benito Juárez, Mexico | M6.4 | 73 km | 33 km |
| Jun 30, 2010 | 2 km ESE of San Agustín Chayuco, Mexico | M6.3 | 126 km | 20 km |
| Feb 25, 1996 | 7 km SE of Santa María Chico Ometepec, Mexico | M6.2 | 147 km | 12 km |
| Jun 14, 2004 | 0 km W of Santa Catarina Mechoacán, Mexico | M5.9 | 133 km | 10 km |
| Feb 19, 2018 | 4 km SSE of Santiago Tetepec, Mexico | M5.9 | 122 km | 22 km |
| Mar 19, 1996 | 21 km WSW of Bajos de Chila, Mexico | M5.9 | 102 km | 33 km |
| Aug 2, 2025 | 4 km S of Xagacía, Mexico | M5.8 | 80 km | 63 km |
| Feb 17, 2018 | 8 km SE of José María Morelos, Mexico | M5.8 | 139 km | 3 km |
| May 8, 2016 | 3 km WNW of San Agustín Chayuco, Mexico | M5.8 | 132 km | 22 km |
| Feb 9, 2010 | 8 km E of Santa María Colotepec, Mexico | M5.7 | 70 km | 40 km |
| Jun 27, 2016 | 8 km S of La Reforma, Mexico | M5.7 | 131 km | 19 km |
| Mar 15, 2025 | 5 km W of San Pedro Tidaá, Mexico | M5.6 | 130 km | 62 km |
| Jun 7, 2002 | 4 km N of Santa Catarina Loxicha, Mexico | M5.6 | 43 km | 33 km |
| Aug 28, 1994 | 6 km N of San Pedro Ocotepec, Mexico | M5.6 | 101 km | 68 km |
| Jan 13, 2004 | 15 km SSW of San Jerónimo Coatlán, Mexico | M5.5 | 54 km | 28 km |
| Feb 26, 1996 | 21 km SSW of San José del Progreso, Mexico | M5.5 | 142 km | 33 km |
| Jun 14, 2017 | 57 km SSW of La Barra de Colotepec, Mexico | M5.5 | 141 km | 14 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
13 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2025 | Erick | Category 4 | 138 mph | 144 km |
| 2024 | John | Category 3 | 121 mph | 222 km |
| 2022 | Agatha | Category 2 | 109 mph | 67 km |
| 2017 | Max | Category 1 | 92 mph | 246 km |
| 2013 | Barbara | Category 1 | 81 mph | 271 km |
| 2012 | Carlotta | Category 2 | 109 mph | 81 km |
| 2011 | Hilary | Category 2 | 104 mph | 269 km |
| 2010 | Karl | Category 1 | — | 271 km |
| 2005 | Stan | Category 1 | 81 mph | 298 km |
| 1998 | Lester | Category 2 | 104 mph | 219 km |
| 1997 | Pauline | Category 4 | 132 mph | 91 km |
| 1997 | Rick | Category 2 | 92 mph | 63 km |
| 1989 | Cosme | Category 1 | 86 mph | 260 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tsunami History
7 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.6 m (5 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2020 | OFF COAST OF OAXACA | Earthquake | 1.6 m | 10 | 91 km |
| 1965 | MEXICO | Earthquake | 0.4 m | 6 | 88 km |
| 2022 | S. MEXICO | Earthquake | 0.2 m | — | 77 km |
| 1928 | S. MEXICO | Earthquake | 0.2 m | 4 | 67 km |
| 1968 | ACAPULCO | Earthquake | — | 18 | 121 km |
| 1928 | MEXICO | Earthquake | — | — | 104 km |
| 1870 | PUERTO ANGEL, MEXICO | Earthquake | — | 24 | 123 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 64°F (18°C) | 0.0 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 69°F (21°C) | 0.2 in | |
| March | 72°F (22°C) | 0.3 in | |
| April | 73°F (23°C) | 1.0 in | |
| May | 74°F (23°C) | 2.8 in | Warmest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.9 in | Wettest |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 3.4 in | |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 70°F (21°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 69°F (21°C) | 0.2 in | |
| December | 68°F (20°C) | 0.1 in |
La Escalera has a seasonal temperature swing of 10°F / from 64°F in January to 74°F in May. Total annual precipitation is 21.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.9") and January the driest (0.0").