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Weather & Climate in Monterrey, Costa Rica

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

Monterrey enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°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 3,238 feet.

Temperature

63°F Jan (17°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average65.6°F
21% above US avg
January Average63°F (17°C)
July Average67°F (19°C)
Sunny Days311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,238 ft (987 m)
Area8.8 sq mi (22.7 km²)
Population Density0/sq mi
Coordinates9.7573°N, 84.1096°W
TimezoneAmerica/Costa_Rica

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 160.2"
322% above US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Oct) 15.90"
Driest Month (Feb) 1.70"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

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

Apr 22, 1991 34 km S of Limón, Costa Rica M7.6 114 km 10 km
Sep 5, 2012 11 km ENE of Hojancha, Costa Rica M7.6 137 km 35 km
Mar 25, 1990 7 km SSE of Puntarenas, Costa Rica M7.3 79 km 22 km
Aug 20, 1999 42 km S of Quepos, Costa Rica M6.9 80 km 20 km
Mar 7, 1992 5 km SW of Río Segundo, Costa Rica M6.6 56 km 79 km
Oct 24, 2012 Costa Rica M6.5 135 km 17 km
Apr 28, 1990 8 km SSE of Ciudad Cortés, Costa Rica M6.4 118 km 23 km
Mar 25, 1990 11 km E of Paquera, Costa Rica M6.4 79 km 27 km
Jul 21, 2000 55 km SSE of Sámara, Costa Rica M6.4 139 km 33 km
Jun 16, 2002 55 km WSW of Ciudad Cortés, Costa Rica M6.4 109 km 35 km
Mar 16, 1991 15 km N of Nandayure, Costa Rica M6.3 127 km 33 km
Mar 1, 1991 13 km SE of Los Chiles, Costa Rica M6.2 144 km 197 km
Apr 24, 1991 16 km SE of La Suiza, Costa Rica M6.2 65 km 13 km
Sep 4, 1996 13 km WSW of Quepos, Costa Rica M6.2 47 km 33 km
Jan 8, 2009 10 km NNE of Sabanilla, Costa Rica M6.1 46 km 14 km
Jun 1, 2010 12 km SSW of Quepos, Costa Rica M6.0 49 km 18 km
Dec 22, 1990 2 km NNE of Santiago, Costa Rica M6.0 25 km 17 km
May 13, 2011 7 km ESE of Atenas, Costa Rica M5.9 31 km 73 km
Feb 13, 2012 27 km S of Quepos, Costa Rica M5.9 64 km 16 km
May 20, 2010 25 km SW of Quepos, Costa Rica M5.9 61 km 21 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 290 km
2016 Otto Category 3 115 mph 140 km
1996 Cesar Category 1 86 mph 266 km
1988 Joan:miriam Category 4 144 mph 239 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tsunami History

11 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 90 114 km
1990 COSTA RICA Earthquake 1.0 m 72 km
2012 COSTA RICA Earthquake 0.2 m 2 137 km
1941 COSTA RICA-PANAMA Earthquake 0.1 m 140 km
1952 COSTA RICA-PANAMA Earthquake 0.1 m 126 km
2019 IRAZU VOLCANO Explosion 38 km
1924 COSTA RICA Earthquake 48 km
1905 GULF OF NICOYA Earthquake 63 km
1822 MATINA Earthquake 125 km
1798 MATINA Earthquake 141 km
1746 MATINA Earthquake 141 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

9 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Irazu (38 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Irazu Stratovolcano 3,432 m (11,260 ft) 1994 38 km
Barva Complex 2,906 m (9,534 ft) -6050 42 km
Turrialba Stratovolcano 3,340 m (10,958 ft) 2019 48 km
Poas Stratovolcano 2,708 m (8,885 ft) 2019 51 km
Platanar Stratovolcano(es) 2,267 m (7,438 ft) Unknown 67 km
Arenal Stratovolcano 1,670 m (5,479 ft) 2010 102 km
Tenorio Stratovolcano(es) 1,916 m (6,286 ft) Unknown 142 km
Miravalles Stratovolcano 2,028 m (6,654 ft) 1946 159 km
Rincon de la Vieja Complex 1,916 m (6,286 ft) 2020 179 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 63°F (17°C) 2.2 in Coldest
February 66°F (19°C) 1.7 in Driest
March 67°F (19°C) 1.8 in
April 68°F (20°C) 4.2 in Warmest
May 67°F (20°C) 11.7 in
June 66°F (19°C) 12.9 in
July 67°F (19°C) 10.3 in
August 66°F (19°C) 12.8 in
September 66°F (19°C) 15.4 in
October 65°F (19°C) 15.9 in Wettest
November 65°F (18°C) 9.3 in
December 65°F (18°C) 4.4 in

Monterrey has a seasonal temperature swing of 5°F / from 63°F in January to 68°F in April. Total annual precipitation is 102.6 inches, with October being the wettest month (15.9") and February the driest (1.7").

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