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Weather & Climate in Santa María, Nicaragua
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Santa María has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 76°F (24°C). Winters average 73°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 271 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 35.9 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 2,549 feet.
Temperature
73°F Jan (23°C)
76°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 75.8°F |
| 40% above US avg | |
| January Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 271 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,549 ft (777 m) |
| Area | 36.5 sq mi (94.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 20/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 13.7467°N, 86.7093°W |
| Timezone | America/Managua |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
245 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.
| Jun 10, 2016 | Nicaragua | M6.1 | 105 km | 10 km |
| Apr 3, 1999 | 13 km S of Amapala, Honduras | M6.0 | 119 km | 38 km |
| Jun 12, 1993 | 14 km ESE of Amapala, Honduras | M5.9 | 104 km | 218 km |
| Jul 18, 1990 | 16 km SSE of Jiquilillo, Nicaragua | M5.7 | 146 km | 58 km |
| Sep 15, 2016 | 11 km NNE of La Paz Centro, Nicaragua | M5.7 | 146 km | 10 km |
| Mar 9, 2007 | 4 km W of Santa Cruz, Honduras | M5.6 | 91 km | 226 km |
| Jan 12, 1990 | near the coast of Nicaragua | M5.6 | 146 km | 86 km |
| Feb 20, 2006 | 17 km SE of Amapala, Honduras | M5.5 | 113 km | 10 km |
| Sep 28, 2016 | 20 km NNE of Nagarote, Nicaragua | M5.5 | 147 km | 8 km |
| Feb 24, 2024 | 9 km W of El Realejo, Nicaragua | M5.3 | 147 km | 82 km |
| May 28, 1999 | 21 km SSE of Jiquilillo, Nicaragua | M5.3 | 150 km | 86 km |
| Sep 6, 2022 | 21 km WNW of Puerto Morazán, Nicaragua | M5.2 | 113 km | 17 km |
| Aug 5, 1999 | 7 km SSE of Larreynaga, Nicaragua | M5.2 | 127 km | 10 km |
| Aug 6, 1999 | 12 km SW of Larreynaga, Nicaragua | M5.2 | 127 km | 10 km |
| May 6, 2018 | 10 km WSW of Conchagua, El Salvador | M5.2 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Jun 14, 2016 | 16 km ESE of Puerto Morazán, Nicaragua | M5.2 | 111 km | 12 km |
| Jun 10, 2016 | 21 km S of Somotillo, Nicaragua | M5.2 | 102 km | 10 km |
| Jan 3, 2002 | 12 km NE of Chichigalpa, Nicaragua | M5.1 | 124 km | 18 km |
| Jan 23, 1991 | 12 km ESE of El Jicaral, Nicaragua | M5.1 | 128 km | 15 km |
| Mar 28, 2005 | 8 km NNE of Telica, Nicaragua | M5.1 | 130 km | 169 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
6 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2022 | Julia | Category 1 | 75 mph | 271 km |
| 2020 | Eta | Category 2 | 81 mph | 260 km |
| 2020 | Iota | Category 2 | 86 mph | 163 km |
| 2007 | Felix | Category 2 | 98 mph | 208 km |
| 1998 | Mitch | Category 4 | 150 mph | 263 km |
| 1988 | Joan:miriam | Category 2 | 81 mph | 268 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1859 | EL SALVADOR | Earthquake | — | — | 128 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
15 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Esteli (72 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Esteli | Fissure vent(s) | 899 m (2,949 ft) | Unknown | 72 km |
| Zacate Grande, Isla | Stratovolcano | 640 m (2,100 ft) | Unknown | 110 km |
| Tigre, Isla el | Stratovolcano | 783 m (2,569 ft) | Unknown | 114 km |
| San Cristobal | Stratovolcano | 1,745 m (5,725 ft) | 2019 | 121 km |
| Cosiguina | Stratovolcano | 872 m (2,861 ft) | 1859 | 126 km |
| Telica | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,036 m (3,399 ft) | 2018 | 128 km |
| Rota | Stratovolcano | 832 m (2,730 ft) | Unknown | 133 km |
| Negro, Cerro | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 728 m (2,388 ft) | 1999 | 138 km |
| Pilas, Las | Complex | 1,088 m (3,570 ft) | 1954 | 139 km |
| Momotombo | Stratovolcano | 1,270 m (4,167 ft) | 2016 | 148 km |
| Apoyeque | Pyroclastic shield | 518 m (1,699 ft) | -50 | 172 km |
| Chinameca | Stratovolcano | 1,300 m (4,265 ft) | Unknown | 178 km |
| Nejapa-Miraflores | Fissure vent(s) | 360 m (1,181 ft) | 1060 | 186 km |
| Tigre, El | Stratovolcano | 1,640 m (5,381 ft) | Unknown | 189 km |
| Lajas, Las | Shield | 926 m (3,038 ft) | Unknown | 193 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 73°F (23°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 74°F (24°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| March | 77°F (25°C) | 0.4 in | |
| April | 78°F (26°C) | 1.0 in | |
| May | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 in | Warmest |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 6.5 in | |
| July | 76°F (25°C) | 3.5 in | |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 76°F (25°C) | 6.9 in | Wettest |
| October | 76°F (24°C) | 5.8 in | |
| November | 74°F (23°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | 73°F (23°C) | 0.5 in |
Santa María has a seasonal temperature swing of 6°F / from 73°F in January to 79°F in May. Total annual precipitation is 35.9 inches, with September being the wettest month (6.9") and February the driest (0.3").