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Weather & Climate in Santa Elena, Ecuador
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Santa Elena has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 75°F (24°C). Winters average 78°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 320 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 9.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 141 feet.
Temperature
78°F Jan (25°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 75.0°F |
| 39% above US avg | |
| January Average | 78°F (25°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 320 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 141 ft (43 m) |
| Area | 8.0 sq mi (20.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 5,283/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -2.2265°N, 80.8581°W |
| Timezone | America/Guayaquil |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
300 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.8.
| Mar 18, 2023 | 14 km NNW of Baláo, Ecuador | M6.8 | 128 km | 68 km |
| May 21, 2005 | 55 km NW of Zorritos, Peru | M6.3 | 119 km | 40 km |
| Aug 5, 1996 | 24 km NNW of Salinas, Ecuador | M6.3 | 30 km | 33 km |
| Jan 28, 2005 | 51 km WSW of Manta, Ecuador | M6.2 | 131 km | 10 km |
| Mar 31, 2019 | 31 km N of Santa Elena, Ecuador | M6.2 | 32 km | 18 km |
| Jan 28, 2005 | 90 km WSW of Manta, Ecuador | M6.1 | 136 km | 10 km |
| Jan 24, 2005 | 23 km W of Jipijapa, Ecuador | M6.1 | 96 km | 17 km |
| Jan 21, 2005 | 21 km WSW of Montecristi, Ecuador | M6.0 | 122 km | 10 km |
| Feb 4, 2019 | 24 km SSE of Guayaquil, Ecuador | M5.8 | 116 km | 70 km |
| Jan 24, 2005 | 37 km W of Jipijapa, Ecuador | M5.8 | 92 km | 10 km |
| Jul 14, 2022 | 11 km SW of Samborondón, Ecuador | M5.7 | 121 km | 73 km |
| Feb 10, 1990 | 58 km NNW of Zorritos, Peru | M5.6 | 105 km | 57 km |
| Jan 24, 2005 | 26 km ESE of Santa Elena, Ecuador | M5.6 | 26 km | 29 km |
| Aug 4, 1991 | 23 km WNW of Manta, Ecuador | M5.5 | 146 km | 21 km |
| Sep 20, 2000 | 26 km WSW of Pedro Carbo, Ecuador | M5.5 | 58 km | 33 km |
| Feb 22, 2019 | 14 km ESE of Eloy Alfaro, Ecuador | M5.5 | 125 km | 71 km |
| Mar 31, 2019 | 34 km NNE of Santa Elena, Ecuador | M5.5 | 35 km | 19 km |
| Feb 17, 2005 | 50 km NNW of Salinas, Ecuador | M5.5 | 55 km | 10 km |
| Jan 21, 2005 | 25 km SW of Montecristi, Ecuador | M5.4 | 116 km | 10 km |
| Jul 19, 2009 | 16 km WNW of Pedro Carbo, Ecuador | M5.4 | 77 km | 55 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.0 m (3 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1953 | N. PERU | Earthquake | 1.0 m | 6 | 134 km |
| 1933 | ECUADOR | Earthquake | — | — | 30 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 78°F (25°C) | 1.2 in | |
| February | 79°F (26°C) | 2.7 in | |
| March | 80°F (26°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| April | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 in | |
| May | 77°F (25°C) | 0.2 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 in | |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 0.0 in | Coldest, Driest |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 0.0 in | |
| October | 72°F (22°C) | 0.0 in | |
| November | 73°F (23°C) | 0.0 in | |
| December | 75°F (24°C) | 0.2 in |
Santa Elena has a seasonal temperature swing of 9°F / from 71°F in August to 80°F in March. Total annual precipitation is 9.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (3.4") and August the driest (0.0").