All Countries
Weather & Climate in María Elena, Chile
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
María Elena enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 68°F in January while summers reach 55°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 4,127 feet.
Temperature
68°F Jan (20°C)
55°F Jul (13°C)
| Annual Average | 61.9°F |
| 15% above US avg | |
| January Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| July Average | 55°F (13°C) |
| Sunny Days | 336 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,127 ft (1,258 m) |
| Area | 5,170.4 sq mi (13,391.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -22.3445°N, 69.6618°W |
| Timezone | America/Santiago |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
1,510 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M8.0.
| Jul 30, 1995 | 36 km NNE of Antofagasta, Chile | M8.0 | 128 km | 46 km |
| Aug 3, 1995 | 68 km NNW of Antofagasta, Chile | M6.4 | 124 km | 17 km |
| Jan 8, 2000 | 60 km NNE of Antofagasta, Chile | M6.4 | 103 km | 36 km |
| Mar 4, 2010 | 66 km ENE of Calama, Chile | M6.3 | 138 km | 114 km |
| Jul 30, 1995 | 40 km NNW of Antofagasta, Chile | M6.2 | 148 km | 14 km |
| Jul 27, 2022 | Antofagasta, Chile | M6.2 | 113 km | 112 km |
| Jul 28, 2022 | 22 km NW of Tocopilla, Chile | M6.1 | 84 km | 54 km |
| Jan 2, 2025 | 84 km NNW of Calama, Chile | M6.1 | 91 km | 99 km |
| Mar 6, 2025 | 98 km S of Calama, Chile | M6.0 | 127 km | 96 km |
| Jun 10, 2015 | 50 km E of Calama, Chile | M6.0 | 127 km | 124 km |
| Aug 2, 1995 | 54 km NNW of Antofagasta, Chile | M6.0 | 143 km | 33 km |
| Jul 3, 1996 | 30 km N of Antofagasta, Chile | M5.9 | 138 km | 33 km |
| Mar 2, 1999 | 37 km NW of San Pedro de Atacama, Chile | M5.9 | 126 km | 111 km |
| Nov 21, 1999 | 79 km N of Calama, Chile | M5.9 | 112 km | 101 km |
| Jan 23, 2004 | 84 km NE of Antofagasta, Chile | M5.9 | 82 km | 72 km |
| Aug 28, 2001 | 42 km NNE of Tocopilla, Chile | M5.9 | 83 km | 66 km |
| Jul 10, 1997 | 100 km SW of Tocopilla, Chile | M5.9 | 134 km | 33 km |
| Jul 30, 1995 | 44 km N of Antofagasta, Chile | M5.9 | 121 km | 33 km |
| Aug 23, 2013 | 39 km ENE of Calama, Chile | M5.8 | 110 km | 111 km |
| Nov 14, 1993 | 38 km ESE of Calama, Chile | M5.8 | 115 km | 112 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 18.0 m (59 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1877 | NORTHERN CHILE | Earthquake | 18.0 m | 2,385 | 128 km |
| 1995 | NORTHERN CHILE | Earthquake | 3.0 m | 3 | 128 km |
| 2007 | NORTHERN CHILE | Earthquake | 0.3 m | 2 | 26 km |
| 1967 | NORTHERN CHILE | Earthquake | — | 1 | 74 km |
| 1948 | NORTHERN CHILE | Earthquake | — | — | 70 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: San Pedro-San Pablo (140 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| San Pedro-San Pablo | Stratovolcano(es) | 6,142 m (20,151 ft) | 1960 | 140 km |
| Azufre, Cerro del | Stratovolcano | 5,846 m (19,180 ft) | Unknown | 159 km |
| Sairecabur | Stratovolcano(es) | 5,971 m (19,590 ft) | Unknown | 187 km |
| Licancabur | Stratovolcano | 5,916 m (19,409 ft) | Unknown | 191 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 68°F (20°C) | 0.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| February | 68°F (20°C) | 0.0 in | |
| March | 66°F (19°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 0.0 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 0.0 in | |
| June | 56°F (13°C) | 0.0 in | |
| July | 55°F (13°C) | 0.0 in | Coldest |
| August | 57°F (14°C) | 0.0 in | |
| September | 60°F (15°C) | 0.0 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 0.0 in | |
| November | 64°F (18°C) | 0.0 in | |
| December | 66°F (19°C) | 0.0 in |
María Elena has a seasonal temperature swing of 13°F / from 55°F in July to 68°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 0.1 inches, with January being the wettest month (0.0") and March the driest (0.0").