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Weather & Climate in Ocotal, Nicaragua
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ocotal has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 73°F (23°C). Winters average 70°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 42.0 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 1,969 feet.
Temperature
70°F Jan (21°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 73.3°F |
| 36% above US avg | |
| January Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,969 ft (600 m) |
| Area | 36.5 sq mi (94.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 931/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 13.6322°N, 86.4740°W |
| Timezone | America/Managua |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
224 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.
| Jun 10, 2016 | Nicaragua | M6.1 | 104 km | 10 km |
| Apr 10, 2014 | 16 km SW of Valle San Francisco, Nicaragua | M6.1 | 137 km | 13 km |
| Apr 3, 1999 | 13 km S of Amapala, Honduras | M6.0 | 136 km | 38 km |
| Jun 12, 1993 | 14 km ESE of Amapala, Honduras | M5.9 | 122 km | 218 km |
| Sep 15, 2016 | 11 km NNE of La Paz Centro, Nicaragua | M5.7 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Mar 9, 2007 | 4 km W of Santa Cruz, Honduras | M5.6 | 107 km | 226 km |
| Sep 28, 2016 | 20 km NNE of Nagarote, Nicaragua | M5.5 | 133 km | 8 km |
| Feb 20, 2006 | 17 km SE of Amapala, Honduras | M5.5 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Feb 24, 2024 | 9 km W of El Realejo, Nicaragua | M5.3 | 148 km | 82 km |
| Aug 3, 2022 | 4 km N of La Paz Centro, Nicaragua | M5.3 | 141 km | 146 km |
| Jun 10, 2016 | 21 km S of Somotillo, Nicaragua | M5.2 | 100 km | 10 km |
| Aug 5, 1999 | 7 km SSE of Larreynaga, Nicaragua | M5.2 | 114 km | 10 km |
| Jun 14, 2016 | 16 km ESE of Puerto Morazán, Nicaragua | M5.2 | 111 km | 12 km |
| Aug 6, 1999 | 12 km SW of Larreynaga, Nicaragua | M5.2 | 116 km | 10 km |
| Sep 6, 2022 | 21 km WNW of Puerto Morazán, Nicaragua | M5.2 | 122 km | 17 km |
| Mar 28, 2005 | 8 km NNE of Telica, Nicaragua | M5.1 | 122 km | 169 km |
| Jan 3, 2002 | 12 km NE of Chichigalpa, Nicaragua | M5.1 | 120 km | 18 km |
| Aug 5, 1999 | 5 km W of La Paz Centro, Nicaragua | M5.1 | 146 km | 10 km |
| Jan 23, 1991 | 12 km ESE of El Jicaral, Nicaragua | M5.1 | 108 km | 15 km |
| Feb 26, 2024 | 12 km WNW of Puerto Morazán, Nicaragua | M5.0 | 118 km | 185 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
7 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2022 | Julia | Category 1 | 75 mph | 243 km |
| 2020 | Iota | Category 3 | 127 mph | 138 km |
| 2020 | Eta | Category 2 | 109 mph | 236 km |
| 2007 | Felix | Category 4 | 98 mph | 190 km |
| 1998 | Mitch | Category 4 | 150 mph | 266 km |
| 1996 | Cesar | Category 1 | 86 mph | 288 km |
| 1988 | Joan:miriam | Category 4 | 144 mph | 242 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1859 | EL SALVADOR | Earthquake | — | — | 148 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
15 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Esteli (52 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Esteli | Fissure vent(s) | 899 m (2,949 ft) | Unknown | 52 km |
| San Cristobal | Stratovolcano | 1,745 m (5,725 ft) | 2019 | 118 km |
| Telica | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,036 m (3,399 ft) | 2018 | 121 km |
| Rota | Stratovolcano | 832 m (2,730 ft) | Unknown | 124 km |
| Negro, Cerro | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 728 m (2,388 ft) | 1999 | 128 km |
| Pilas, Las | Complex | 1,088 m (3,570 ft) | 1954 | 129 km |
| Zacate Grande, Isla | Stratovolcano | 640 m (2,100 ft) | Unknown | 129 km |
| Tigre, Isla el | Stratovolcano | 783 m (2,569 ft) | Unknown | 132 km |
| Momotombo | Stratovolcano | 1,270 m (4,167 ft) | 2016 | 135 km |
| Cosiguina | Stratovolcano | 872 m (2,861 ft) | 1859 | 139 km |
| Apoyeque | Pyroclastic shield | 518 m (1,699 ft) | -50 | 155 km |
| Lajas, Las | Shield | 926 m (3,038 ft) | Unknown | 169 km |
| Nejapa-Miraflores | Fissure vent(s) | 360 m (1,181 ft) | 1060 | 169 km |
| Masaya | Caldera | 594 m (1,949 ft) | 2020 | 186 km |
| Granada | Fissure vent(s) | 300 m (984 ft) | Unknown | 198 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 70°F (21°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 72°F (22°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| March | 74°F (23°C) | 0.5 in | |
| April | 75°F (24°C) | 1.2 in | |
| May | 77°F (25°C) | 5.6 in | Warmest |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 7.5 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 4.8 in | |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 7.8 in | Wettest |
| October | 74°F (23°C) | 7.0 in | |
| November | 72°F (22°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 71°F (21°C) | 0.6 in |
Ocotal has a seasonal temperature swing of 6°F / from 70°F in January to 77°F in May. Total annual precipitation is 42.0 inches, with September being the wettest month (7.8") and February the driest (0.3").