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Weather & Climate in San Cristóbal, Panama
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
San Cristóbal has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 78°F (26°C). Winters average 77°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 137 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual precipitation totals 109.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 33 feet.
Temperature
77°F Jan (25°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 78.3°F |
| 45% above US avg | |
| January Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 137 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 33 ft (10 m) |
| Area | 35.9 sq mi (93.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 15/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 9.2813°N, 82.2676°W |
| Timezone | America/Panama |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
504 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 | 99 km | 10 km |
| Apr 28, 1990 | 8 km SSE of Ciudad Cortés, Costa Rica | M6.4 | 142 km | 23 km |
| Apr 24, 1991 | 16 km SE of La Suiza, Costa Rica | M6.2 | 146 km | 13 km |
| May 4, 1991 | 16 km NE of Changuinola, Panama | M6.2 | 33 km | 10 km |
| Jun 26, 2019 | 4 km SE of Aserrío de Gariché, Panama | M6.2 | 106 km | 33 km |
| Feb 4, 2004 | 2 km S of Finca Blanco, Panama | M6.1 | 123 km | 29 km |
| Nov 9, 2001 | 33 km NE of Changuinola, Panama | M6.1 | 40 km | 10 km |
| Apr 2, 2014 | 33 km SSW of Boca Chica, Panama | M6.0 | 149 km | 25 km |
| May 12, 2019 | 1 km W of Breñón, Panama | M6.0 | 96 km | 19 km |
| Jun 30, 2005 | 3 km W of Progreso, Panama | M5.9 | 114 km | 38 km |
| May 1, 2006 | 7 km NNW of Limones, Panama | M5.9 | 141 km | 13 km |
| Mar 11, 2009 | 15 km SW of Golfito, Costa Rica | M5.9 | 135 km | 17 km |
| Mar 11, 2009 | 15 km SW of Golfito, Costa Rica | M5.9 | 136 km | 14 km |
| Aug 3, 2002 | 4 km ESE of Puerto Armuelles, Panama | M5.8 | 129 km | 10 km |
| May 27, 2013 | 8 km SSW of Guabito, Panama | M5.7 | 43 km | 9 km |
| Jul 22, 2024 | 8 km SE of Puerto Armuelles, Panama | M5.7 | 132 km | 7 km |
| May 27, 1991 | 2 km SW of La Mesa, Panama | M5.7 | 52 km | 10 km |
| Jan 29, 2021 | 12 km SW of Puerto Armuelles, Panama | M5.7 | 141 km | 8 km |
| Jul 22, 2024 | 11 km ESE of Puerto Armuelles, Panama | M5.6 | 130 km | 7 km |
| Oct 31, 1994 | 14 km S of Buenos Aires, Costa Rica | M5.6 | 119 km | 56 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 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2016 | Otto | Category 3 | 115 mph | 197 km |
| 1996 | Cesar | Category 1 | 75 mph | 296 km |
| 1988 | Joan:miriam | Category 4 | 144 mph | 282 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tsunami History
9 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 | 99 km |
| 1916 | BOCAS DEL TORO | Earthquake | 1.3 m | — | 46 km |
| 1934 | COSTA RICA-PANAMA | Earthquake | 0.3 m | — | 145 km |
| 1941 | COSTA RICA-PANAMA | Earthquake | 0.2 m | 6 | 121 km |
| 1983 | COSTA RICA | Earthquake | 0.1 m | 6 | 113 km |
| 1854 | COSTA RICA-PANAMA | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 118 km |
| 1822 | MATINA | Earthquake | — | — | 84 km |
| 1798 | MATINA | Earthquake | — | — | 123 km |
| 1746 | MATINA | Earthquake | — | — | 123 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Turrialba (184 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Turrialba | Stratovolcano | 3,340 m (10,958 ft) | 2019 | 184 km |
| Irazu | Stratovolcano | 3,432 m (11,260 ft) | 1994 | 190 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 77°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 77°F (25°C) | 4.3 in | |
| March | 78°F (26°C) | 4.4 in | |
| April | 79°F (26°C) | 7.3 in | |
| May | 80°F (26°C) | 11.5 in | Warmest |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 11.0 in | |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 12.6 in | Wettest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 10.9 in | |
| September | 79°F (26°C) | 9.8 in | |
| October | 79°F (26°C) | 12.3 in | |
| November | 78°F (26°C) | 11.0 in | |
| December | 77°F (25°C) | 10.8 in |
San Cristóbal has a seasonal temperature swing of 3°F / from 77°F in January to 80°F in May. Total annual precipitation is 109.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (12.6") and January the driest (3.7").