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Weather & Climate in San Rafael del Norte, Nicaragua
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
San Rafael del Norte enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 65°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 232 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 57.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 3,547 feet.
Temperature
65°F Jan (18°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 68.3°F |
| 26% above US avg | |
| January Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 232 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,547 ft (1,081 m) |
| Area | 128.0 sq mi (331.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 43/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 13.2125°N, 86.1109°W |
| Timezone | America/Managua |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
315 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.
| Jun 10, 2016 | Nicaragua | M6.1 | 102 km | 10 km |
| Apr 10, 2014 | 16 km SW of Valle San Francisco, Nicaragua | M6.1 | 95 km | 13 km |
| Sep 15, 2016 | 11 km NNE of La Paz Centro, Nicaragua | M5.7 | 103 km | 10 km |
| Apr 27, 1992 | 24 km SSE of Corinto, Nicaragua | M5.7 | 149 km | 76 km |
| Jul 23, 2005 | 5 km E of Tisma, Nicaragua | M5.6 | 127 km | 168 km |
| Mar 9, 2007 | 4 km W of Santa Cruz, Honduras | M5.6 | 138 km | 226 km |
| Oct 1, 2004 | 1 km WNW of Villa El Carmen, Nicaragua | M5.6 | 143 km | 87 km |
| Sep 28, 2016 | 20 km NNE of Nagarote, Nicaragua | M5.5 | 96 km | 8 km |
| Jul 6, 2000 | 6 km SW of Granada, Nicaragua | M5.4 | 148 km | 33 km |
| Jul 12, 2020 | 5 km WNW of El Crucero, Nicaragua | M5.4 | 136 km | 159 km |
| Jun 22, 1990 | 17 km E of Granada, Nicaragua | M5.4 | 148 km | 28 km |
| Apr 12, 2001 | 1 km NNW of Nagarote, Nicaragua | M5.4 | 115 km | 121 km |
| Mar 24, 2019 | 28 km SW of Nagarote, Nicaragua | M5.3 | 144 km | 88 km |
| Feb 24, 2024 | 9 km W of El Realejo, Nicaragua | M5.3 | 145 km | 82 km |
| Aug 3, 2022 | 4 km N of La Paz Centro, Nicaragua | M5.3 | 111 km | 146 km |
| Apr 11, 2014 | 13 km WSW of Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua | M5.3 | 128 km | 11 km |
| Jun 10, 2016 | 21 km S of Somotillo, Nicaragua | M5.2 | 98 km | 10 km |
| Aug 2, 2002 | 20 km SW of Nagarote, Nicaragua | M5.2 | 136 km | 70 km |
| Aug 6, 1999 | 12 km SW of Larreynaga, Nicaragua | M5.2 | 90 km | 10 km |
| Jun 14, 2016 | 16 km ESE of Puerto Morazán, Nicaragua | M5.2 | 110 km | 12 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
9 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 | 184 km |
| 2020 | Eta | Category 4 | 138 mph | 206 km |
| 2020 | Iota | Category 4 | 144 mph | 112 km |
| 2016 | Otto | Category 3 | 115 mph | 289 km |
| 2009 | Ida | Category 1 | 81 mph | 274 km |
| 2007 | Felix | Category 4 | 98 mph | 186 km |
| 2005 | Beta | Category 2 | 104 mph | 255 km |
| 1996 | Cesar | Category 1 | 86 mph | 231 km |
| 1988 | Joan:miriam | Category 4 | 144 mph | 181 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Nearby Volcanoes
15 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Esteli (32 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Esteli | Fissure vent(s) | 899 m (2,949 ft) | Unknown | 32 km |
| Momotombo | Stratovolcano | 1,270 m (4,167 ft) | 2016 | 99 km |
| Rota | Stratovolcano | 832 m (2,730 ft) | Unknown | 101 km |
| Pilas, Las | Complex | 1,088 m (3,570 ft) | 1954 | 101 km |
| Negro, Cerro | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 728 m (2,388 ft) | 1999 | 101 km |
| Telica | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,036 m (3,399 ft) | 2018 | 104 km |
| Lajas, Las | Shield | 926 m (3,038 ft) | Unknown | 110 km |
| Apoyeque | Pyroclastic shield | 518 m (1,699 ft) | -50 | 111 km |
| San Cristobal | Stratovolcano | 1,745 m (5,725 ft) | 2019 | 112 km |
| Nejapa-Miraflores | Fissure vent(s) | 360 m (1,181 ft) | 1060 | 124 km |
| Masaya | Caldera | 594 m (1,949 ft) | 2020 | 137 km |
| Granada | Fissure vent(s) | 300 m (984 ft) | Unknown | 144 km |
| Mombacho | Stratovolcano | 1,344 m (4,409 ft) | Unknown | 155 km |
| Cosiguina | Stratovolcano | 872 m (2,861 ft) | 1859 | 160 km |
| Zacate Grande, Isla | Stratovolcano | 640 m (2,100 ft) | Unknown | 165 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 65°F (18°C) | 2.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 66°F (19°C) | 1.4 in | |
| March | 68°F (20°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| April | 70°F (21°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.4 in | Warmest |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 9.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 6.7 in | |
| August | 69°F (20°C) | 6.5 in | |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 8.9 in | |
| October | 69°F (21°C) | 8.2 in | |
| November | 67°F (19°C) | 3.7 in | |
| December | 66°F (19°C) | 2.4 in |
San Rafael del Norte has a seasonal temperature swing of 6°F / from 65°F in January to 71°F in May. Total annual precipitation is 57.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (9.3") and March the driest (0.8").