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Weather & Climate in Santa Marta, Colombia
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Santa Marta has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 82°F (28°C). Winters average 81°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 276 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 32.9 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 46 feet.
Temperature
81°F Jan (27°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 82.0°F |
| 52% above US avg | |
| January Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 46 ft (14 m) |
| Area | 113.4 sq mi (293.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 4,403/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 11.2386°N, 74.1943°W |
| Timezone | America/Bogota |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
37 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.0.
| May 16, 2013 | 82 km NW of Riohacha, Colombia | M5.0 | 126 km | 27 km |
| Sep 29, 2019 | 87 km NNW of Dibulla, Colombia | M4.9 | 98 km | 10 km |
| May 12, 2024 | 65 km NNW of Dibulla, Colombia | M4.9 | 101 km | 10 km |
| Oct 26, 2017 | 37 km WNW of Agustín Codazzi, Colombia | M4.8 | 141 km | 86 km |
| Feb 28, 2014 | 104 km NW of Riohacha, Colombia | M4.8 | 127 km | 26 km |
| Feb 20, 2004 | 56 km ENE of Aracataca, Colombia | M4.8 | 65 km | 46 km |
| May 2, 2006 | 1 km SE of Remolino, Colombia | M4.7 | 83 km | 28 km |
| Feb 6, 2022 | 13 km NNE of Valledupar, Colombia | M4.7 | 129 km | 69 km |
| May 12, 2024 | 62 km NNW of Dibulla, Colombia | M4.6 | 98 km | 10 km |
| Mar 23, 2014 | 17 km NNE of Valledupar, Colombia | M4.6 | 128 km | 58 km |
| Apr 13, 1994 | 19 km SSE of Dibulla, Colombia | M4.6 | 103 km | 33 km |
| Sep 28, 2024 | 60 km NNW of Dibulla, Colombia | M4.6 | 98 km | 10 km |
| Oct 31, 1992 | 9 km NNW of Ciénaga, Colombia | M4.5 | 19 km | 33 km |
| May 1, 2021 | 75 km NNE of Santa Marta, Colombia | M4.5 | 76 km | 10 km |
| Feb 14, 2014 | 31 km W of Riohacha, Colombia | M4.5 | 114 km | 56 km |
| Sep 19, 1993 | 14 km WNW of Distracción, Colombia | M4.5 | 133 km | 112 km |
| Sep 28, 2024 | 65 km NNW of Dibulla, Colombia | M4.5 | 104 km | 10 km |
| Mar 6, 2019 | 1 km N of Barranquilla, Colombia | M4.5 | 70 km | 47 km |
| Oct 20, 2012 | 12 km SE of Ciénaga, Colombia | M4.4 | 33 km | 24 km |
| Dec 30, 1999 | 22 km SSW of El Copey, Colombia | M4.4 | 144 km | 89 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 5.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 5 | 167 mph | 255 km |
| 2007 | Felix | Category 5 | 173 mph | 297 km |
| 1988 | Joan:miriam | Category 2 | 92 mph | 66 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 8.0 m (26 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2017 | OFF THE COAST NEAR SANTA MARTA | Unknown | 8.0 m | - | 29 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 81°F (27°C) | 0.2 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 81°F (27°C) | 0.2 in | |
| March | 82°F (28°C) | 0.4 in | |
| April | 83°F (28°C) | 1.7 in | |
| May | 83°F (28°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 83°F (29°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 2.1 in | |
| August | 83°F (28°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 82°F (28°C) | 5.5 in | |
| October | 82°F (28°C) | 7.1 in | Wettest |
| November | 82°F (28°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 81°F (27°C) | 0.9 in |
Santa Marta has a seasonal temperature swing of 3°F / from 81°F in January to 83°F in June. Total annual precipitation is 32.9 inches, with October being the wettest month (7.1") and January the driest (0.2").