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Weather & Climate in Pica, Chile
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pica enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 63°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 0.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 4,354 feet.
Temperature
63°F Jan (17°C)
51°F Jul (10°C)
| Annual Average | 56.9°F |
| 5% above US avg | |
| January Average | 63°F (17°C) |
| July Average | 51°F (10°C) |
| Sunny Days | 335 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,354 ft (1,327 m) |
| Area | 5,099.6 sq mi (13,207.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 2/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -20.4913°N, 69.3312°W |
| Timezone | America/Santiago |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
2,278 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.8.
| Jun 13, 2005 | 102 km ENE of Iquique, Chile | M7.8 | 58 km | 116 km |
| Apr 3, 2014 | 53 km SW of Iquique, Chile | M7.7 | 121 km | 22 km |
| Apr 3, 2014 | 45 km WSW of Iquique, Chile | M6.5 | 131 km | 24 km |
| Apr 3, 2014 | 79 km SW of Iquique, Chile | M6.4 | 135 km | 25 km |
| Jul 24, 2001 | 126 km NE of Iquique, Chile | M6.4 | 116 km | 33 km |
| Apr 4, 2014 | 70 km SW of Iquique, Chile | M6.3 | 139 km | 14 km |
| Feb 4, 2008 | 12 km ENE of Iquique, Chile | M6.3 | 82 km | 35 km |
| Apr 11, 2014 | 71 km SW of Iquique, Chile | M6.2 | 138 km | 14 km |
| Mar 24, 2008 | 125 km E of Iquique, Chile | M6.2 | 63 km | 120 km |
| Feb 16, 2008 | 134 km NNE of Calama, Chile | M6.1 | 137 km | 130 km |
| Jan 2, 2025 | 84 km NNW of Calama, Chile | M6.1 | 138 km | 99 km |
| Sep 9, 1995 | 86 km E of Iquique, Chile | M5.9 | 40 km | 75 km |
| Apr 2, 2011 | 140 km ENE of Iquique, Chile | M5.9 | 111 km | 110 km |
| Jul 17, 2020 | 3 km SE of Iquique, Chile | M5.9 | 88 km | 74 km |
| May 10, 1994 | 76 km NNE of Iquique, Chile | M5.9 | 109 km | 52 km |
| Apr 1, 2014 | 79 km N of Iquique, Chile | M5.8 | 141 km | 22 km |
| Mar 5, 1999 | 132 km E of Iquique, Chile | M5.8 | 46 km | 111 km |
| Mar 16, 2001 | 148 km E of Iquique, Chile | M5.8 | 62 km | 115 km |
| Apr 16, 1992 | 164 km WNW of Colchani, Bolivia | M5.8 | 104 km | 122 km |
| Apr 9, 2006 | 27 km SSW of Iquique, Chile | M5.8 | 95 km | 35 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
6 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 2.0 m (7 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1869 | NORTHERN CHILE | Earthquake | 2.0 m | — | 137 km |
| 1881 | NORTHERN CHILE | Earthquake | 1.4 m | — | 87 km |
| 1885 | NORTHERN CHILE | Earthquake | 1.0 m | — | 87 km |
| 1877 | NORTHERN CHILE | Earthquake | 1.0 m | — | 87 km |
| 2014 | NORTHERN CHILE | Earthquake | 0.7 m | — | 121 km |
| 1967 | NORTHERN CHILE | Earthquake | — | 1 | 136 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Olca-Paruma (108 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Olca-Paruma | Stratovolcano(es) | 5,705 m (18,717 ft) | Unknown | 108 km |
| Pampa Luxsar | Volcanic field | 5,543 m (18,186 ft) | Unknown | 124 km |
| San Pedro-San Pablo | Stratovolcano(es) | 6,142 m (20,151 ft) | 1960 | 183 km |
| Azufre, Cerro del | Stratovolcano | 5,846 m (19,180 ft) | Unknown | 183 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 63°F (17°C) | 0.4 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| February | 62°F (17°C) | 0.3 in | |
| March | 61°F (16°C) | 0.1 in | |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 0.0 in | |
| June | 51°F (10°C) | 0.0 in | Coldest |
| July | 51°F (10°C) | 0.0 in | |
| August | 52°F (11°C) | 0.0 in | |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 0.0 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 0.0 in | |
| November | 59°F (15°C) | 0.0 in | |
| December | 61°F (16°C) | 0.0 in |
Pica has a seasonal temperature swing of 12°F / from 51°F in June to 63°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 0.8 inches, with January being the wettest month (0.4") and April the driest (0.0").