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Weather & Climate in Retalhuleu, Guatemala

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

Retalhuleu has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 79°F (26°C). Winters average 78°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 176 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 116.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 791 feet.

Temperature

78°F Jan (26°C) 80°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average79.1°F
46% above US avg
January Average78°F (26°C)
July Average80°F (26°C)
Sunny Days176 days/yr

Geography

Elevation791 ft (241 m)
Area611.1 sq mi (1,582.6 km²)
Population Density148/sq mi
Coordinates14.5358°N, 91.6785°W
TimezoneAmerica/Guatemala

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 116.9"
208% above US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jun) 21.22"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.43"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

2,665 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 65 km 24 km
Sep 10, 1993 24 km W of Puerto Madero, Mexico M7.2 106 km 34 km
Jul 7, 2014 4 km W of Puerto Madero, Mexico M6.9 87 km 53 km
Jun 14, 2017 2 km SSW of San Pablo, Guatemala M6.9 55 km 93 km
Jun 22, 2017 28 km SW of Puerto San José, Guatemala M6.8 119 km 38 km
Sep 3, 1993 38 km SW of Puerto Madero, Mexico M6.8 111 km 27 km
Feb 1, 2019 5 km SW of Puerto Madero, Mexico M6.7 85 km 66 km
Jan 10, 1998 10 km SSW of San José El Ídolo, Guatemala M6.6 29 km 33 km
Jan 21, 2003 33 km S of Puerto San José, Guatemala M6.5 141 km 24 km
Nov 11, 2012 32 km SW of Champerico, Guatemala M6.5 69 km 20 km
May 17, 2023 8 km SE of Canillá, Guatemala M6.4 113 km 252 km
May 12, 2024 28 km WSW of Brisas Barra de Suchiate, Mexico M6.4 85 km 62 km
Sep 7, 2013 7 km ESE of Ignacio López Rayón, Mexico M6.4 48 km 66 km
May 10, 1998 28 km S of Iztapa, Guatemala M6.3 139 km 33 km
May 30, 1992 62 km WSW of Puerto Madero, Mexico M6.3 135 km 55 km
May 3, 2009 5 km S of San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala M6.3 58 km 108 km
Mar 12, 2000 3 km ESE of Plan de Ayala, Mexico M6.3 96 km 62 km
Jun 6, 1999 6 km ESE of Puerto San José, Guatemala M6.3 121 km 33 km
Sep 18, 1991 4 km SE of Patzún, Guatemala M6.2 76 km 5 km
Jan 21, 2012 46 km SW of El Arenal, Mexico M6.2 148 km 45 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 1.

Year Name Category Max Wind Closest
2013 Barbara Category 1 81 mph 298 km
2005 Adrian Category 1 81 mph 250 km
1998 Lester Category 1 81 mph 296 km
1996 Douglas Category 1 75 mph 231 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 49 km
2012 GUATEMALA Earthquake 0.4 m 48 65 km
1950 GUATEMALA Earthquake 0.2 m 36 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

14 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Santa Maria (28 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Santa Maria Stratovolcano 3,745 m (12,287 ft) 2020 28 km
Almolonga Stratovolcano 3,173 m (10,410 ft) 1818 34 km
Toliman Stratovolcano(es) 3,158 m (10,361 ft) Unknown 53 km
Tacana Stratovolcano 4,064 m (13,333 ft) 1986 81 km
Fuego Stratovolcano(es) 3,763 m (12,346 ft) 2020 86 km
Acatenango Stratovolcano(es) 3,976 m (13,045 ft) 1972 87 km
Agua Stratovolcano 3,760 m (12,336 ft) Unknown 101 km
Pacaya Complex 2,569 m (8,428 ft) 2020 117 km
Cuilapa-Barbarena Volcanic field 1,454 m (4,770 ft) Unknown 140 km
Tecuamburro Stratovolcano 1,845 m (6,053 ft) -960 143 km
Moyuta Stratovolcano 1,662 m (5,453 ft) Unknown 179 km
Flores Volcanic field 1,600 m (5,249 ft) Unknown 183 km
Tahual Stratovolcano 1,716 m (5,630 ft) Unknown 192 km
Santiago, Cerro Volcanic field 1,192 m (3,911 ft) Unknown 196 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 78°F (26°C) 0.4 in Driest
February 79°F (26°C) 0.6 in
March 80°F (27°C) 1.5 in
April 81°F (27°C) 4.8 in Warmest
May 81°F (27°C) 11.5 in
June 80°F (26°C) 21.2 in Wettest
July 80°F (26°C) 14.3 in
August 80°F (26°C) 17.4 in
September 79°F (26°C) 20.9 in
October 78°F (26°C) 18.4 in
November 78°F (26°C) 4.8 in
December 78°F (25°C) 1.1 in Coldest

Retalhuleu has a seasonal temperature swing of 3°F / from 78°F in December to 81°F in April. Total annual precipitation is 116.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (21.2") and January the driest (0.4").

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