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Weather & Climate in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Quetzaltenango experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 56°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 236 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 55.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 7,713 feet.
Temperature
51°F Jan (11°C)
56°F Jul (13°C)
| Annual Average | 54.2°F |
| 0% below US avg | |
| January Average | 51°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 56°F (13°C) |
| Sunny Days | 236 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 7,713 ft (2,351 m) |
| Area | 57.6 sq mi (149.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,139/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 14.8446°N, 91.5232°W |
| Timezone | America/Guatemala |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
2,091 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.4.
| Nov 7, 2012 | 33 km S of Champerico, Guatemala | M7.4 | 103 km | 24 km |
| Sep 10, 1993 | 24 km W of Puerto Madero, Mexico | M7.2 | 121 km | 34 km |
| Jul 7, 2014 | 4 km W of Puerto Madero, Mexico | M6.9 | 102 km | 53 km |
| Jun 14, 2017 | 2 km SSW of San Pablo, Guatemala | M6.9 | 53 km | 93 km |
| Jun 22, 2017 | 28 km SW of Puerto San José, Guatemala | M6.8 | 139 km | 38 km |
| Sep 3, 1993 | 38 km SW of Puerto Madero, Mexico | M6.8 | 133 km | 27 km |
| Feb 1, 2019 | 5 km SW of Puerto Madero, Mexico | M6.7 | 102 km | 66 km |
| Jan 10, 1998 | 10 km SSW of San José El Ídolo, Guatemala | M6.6 | 53 km | 33 km |
| Nov 11, 2012 | 32 km SW of Champerico, Guatemala | M6.5 | 105 km | 20 km |
| May 17, 2023 | 8 km SE of Canillá, Guatemala | M6.4 | 82 km | 252 km |
| May 12, 2024 | 28 km WSW of Brisas Barra de Suchiate, Mexico | M6.4 | 111 km | 62 km |
| Sep 7, 2013 | 7 km ESE of Ignacio López Rayón, Mexico | M6.4 | 70 km | 66 km |
| Mar 12, 2000 | 3 km ESE of Plan de Ayala, Mexico | M6.3 | 100 km | 62 km |
| May 3, 2009 | 5 km S of San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala | M6.3 | 53 km | 108 km |
| Jun 6, 1999 | 6 km ESE of Puerto San José, Guatemala | M6.3 | 133 km | 33 km |
| Sep 18, 1991 | 4 km SE of Patzún, Guatemala | M6.2 | 62 km | 5 km |
| Feb 16, 2022 | 12 km WSW of Nueva Concepción, Guatemala | M6.2 | 79 km | 60 km |
| Mar 25, 2013 | 3 km NW of Fraijanes, Guatemala | M6.2 | 121 km | 189 km |
| Mar 3, 1998 | 9 km SSW of San José El Ídolo, Guatemala | M6.1 | 52 km | 63 km |
| Mar 17, 2005 | 10 km NE of San Bartolo, Guatemala | M6.1 | 37 km | 197 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
3 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2013 | Barbara | Category 1 | 81 mph | 295 km |
| 2005 | Adrian | Category 1 | 81 mph | 276 km |
| 1996 | Douglas | Category 1 | 75 mph | 266 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tsunami History
3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 4.0 m (13 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2005 | LAGO DE ATITLAN | Meteorological | 4.0 m | — | 37 km |
| 2012 | GUATEMALA | Earthquake | 0.4 m | 48 | 103 km |
| 1950 | GUATEMALA | Earthquake | 0.2 m | — | 73 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
15 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Almolonga (5 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Almolonga | Stratovolcano | 3,173 m (10,410 ft) | 1818 | 5 km |
| Santa Maria | Stratovolcano | 3,745 m (12,287 ft) | 2020 | 10 km |
| Toliman | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,158 m (10,361 ft) | Unknown | 44 km |
| Tacana | Stratovolcano | 4,064 m (13,333 ft) | 1986 | 71 km |
| Acatenango | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,976 m (13,045 ft) | 1972 | 79 km |
| Fuego | Stratovolcano(es) | 3,763 m (12,346 ft) | 2020 | 81 km |
| Agua | Stratovolcano | 3,760 m (12,336 ft) | Unknown | 94 km |
| Pacaya | Complex | 2,569 m (8,428 ft) | 2020 | 112 km |
| Cuilapa-Barbarena | Volcanic field | 1,454 m (4,770 ft) | Unknown | 134 km |
| Tecuamburro | Stratovolcano | 1,845 m (6,053 ft) | -960 | 143 km |
| Flores | Volcanic field | 1,600 m (5,249 ft) | Unknown | 175 km |
| Moyuta | Stratovolcano | 1,662 m (5,453 ft) | Unknown | 178 km |
| Tahual | Stratovolcano | 1,716 m (5,630 ft) | Unknown | 181 km |
| Santiago, Cerro | Volcanic field | 1,192 m (3,911 ft) | Unknown | 187 km |
| Suchitan | Stratovolcano(es) | 2,042 m (6,699 ft) | Unknown | 194 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 51°F (11°C) | 0.2 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 52°F (11°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 56°F (14°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest |
| May | 56°F (14°C) | 7.2 in | |
| June | 56°F (13°C) | 10.8 in | Wettest |
| July | 56°F (13°C) | 7.1 in | |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 8.0 in | |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 10.4 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 6.4 in | |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 1.6 in | |
| December | 51°F (11°C) | 0.5 in |
Quetzaltenango has a seasonal temperature swing of 5°F / from 51°F in January to 56°F in April. Total annual precipitation is 55.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (10.8") and January the driest (0.2").