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Weather & Climate in San Rafael Arriba, Costa Rica
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
San Rafael Arriba enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (19°C). Winters average 63°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 311 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 160.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 3,871 feet.
Temperature
63°F Jan (17°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 65.4°F |
| 21% above US avg | |
| January Average | 63°F (17°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,871 ft (1,180 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 12,041/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 9.8765°N, 84.0748°W |
| Timezone | America/Costa_Rica |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
593 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 | 112 km | 10 km |
| Sep 5, 2012 | 11 km ENE of Hojancha, Costa Rica | M7.6 | 138 km | 35 km |
| Mar 25, 1990 | 7 km SSE of Puntarenas, Costa Rica | M7.3 | 81 km | 22 km |
| Aug 20, 1999 | 42 km S of Quepos, Costa Rica | M6.9 | 93 km | 20 km |
| Mar 7, 1992 | 5 km SW of Río Segundo, Costa Rica | M6.6 | 46 km | 79 km |
| Oct 24, 2012 | Costa Rica | M6.5 | 136 km | 17 km |
| Mar 25, 1990 | 11 km E of Paquera, Costa Rica | M6.4 | 83 km | 27 km |
| Apr 28, 1990 | 8 km SSE of Ciudad Cortés, Costa Rica | M6.4 | 127 km | 23 km |
| Jun 16, 2002 | 55 km WSW of Ciudad Cortés, Costa Rica | M6.4 | 122 km | 35 km |
| Jul 21, 2000 | 55 km SSE of Sámara, Costa Rica | M6.4 | 147 km | 33 km |
| Mar 16, 1991 | 15 km N of Nandayure, Costa Rica | M6.3 | 126 km | 33 km |
| Sep 4, 1996 | 13 km WSW of Quepos, Costa Rica | M6.2 | 61 km | 33 km |
| Apr 24, 1991 | 16 km SE of La Suiza, Costa Rica | M6.2 | 63 km | 13 km |
| Mar 1, 1991 | 13 km SE of Los Chiles, Costa Rica | M6.2 | 133 km | 197 km |
| Jan 8, 2009 | 10 km NNE of Sabanilla, Costa Rica | M6.1 | 35 km | 14 km |
| Jun 1, 2010 | 12 km SSW of Quepos, Costa Rica | M6.0 | 62 km | 18 km |
| Dec 22, 1990 | 2 km NNE of Santiago, Costa Rica | M6.0 | 25 km | 17 km |
| Feb 13, 2012 | 27 km S of Quepos, Costa Rica | M5.9 | 77 km | 16 km |
| May 20, 2010 | 25 km SW of Quepos, Costa Rica | M5.9 | 74 km | 21 km |
| Aug 28, 1996 | 15 km S of Parrita, Costa Rica | M5.9 | 61 km | 33 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 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2022 | Julia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 278 km |
| 2016 | Otto | Category 3 | 115 mph | 126 km |
| 1996 | Cesar | Category 1 | 86 mph | 253 km |
| 1988 | Joan:miriam | Category 4 | 144 mph | 226 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tsunami History
10 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 | 112 km |
| 1990 | COSTA RICA | Earthquake | 1.0 m | — | 74 km |
| 2012 | COSTA RICA | Earthquake | 0.2 m | 2 | 138 km |
| 1952 | COSTA RICA-PANAMA | Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 127 km |
| 2019 | IRAZU VOLCANO | Explosion | — | — | 27 km |
| 1924 | COSTA RICA | Earthquake | — | — | 58 km |
| 1905 | GULF OF NICOYA | Earthquake | — | — | 66 km |
| 1822 | MATINA | Earthquake | — | — | 125 km |
| 1798 | MATINA | Earthquake | — | — | 134 km |
| 1746 | MATINA | Earthquake | — | — | 134 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
10 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Irazu (27 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Irazu | Stratovolcano | 3,432 m (11,260 ft) | 1994 | 27 km |
| Barva | Complex | 2,906 m (9,534 ft) | -6050 | 29 km |
| Turrialba | Stratovolcano | 3,340 m (10,958 ft) | 2019 | 38 km |
| Poas | Stratovolcano | 2,708 m (8,885 ft) | 2019 | 40 km |
| Platanar | Stratovolcano(es) | 2,267 m (7,438 ft) | Unknown | 57 km |
| Arenal | Stratovolcano | 1,670 m (5,479 ft) | 2010 | 95 km |
| Tenorio | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,916 m (6,286 ft) | Unknown | 136 km |
| Miravalles | Stratovolcano | 2,028 m (6,654 ft) | 1946 | 153 km |
| Rincon de la Vieja | Complex | 1,916 m (6,286 ft) | 2020 | 173 km |
| Orosi | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,659 m (5,443 ft) | Unknown | 196 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 63°F (17°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 in | |
| March | 69°F (20°C) | 2.5 in | Driest |
| April | 70°F (21°C) | 4.8 in | Warmest |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 11.6 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 13.7 in | |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 12.2 in | |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 14.7 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 16.4 in | |
| October | 67°F (19°C) | 16.7 in | Wettest |
| November | 67°F (19°C) | 10.8 in | |
| December | 66°F (19°C) | 6.1 in |
San Rafael Arriba has a seasonal temperature swing of 7°F / from 63°F in January to 70°F in April. Total annual precipitation is 115.4 inches, with October being the wettest month (16.7") and March the driest (2.5").