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Weather & Climate in Vega Alta zona urbana, PR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Vega Alta zona urbana has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 78°F (25°C). Winters average 73°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 354 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 49.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 21 / among the cleanest air in the country. The city sits at an elevation of 121 feet.
Temperature
73°F Jan (23°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 77.8°F |
| 44% above US avg | |
| January Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 354 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 121 ft (37 m) |
| Area | 1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 4,593/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 18.4152°N, 66.3212°W |
| Timezone | America/Puerto_Rico |
| County | Vega Alta Municipio County |
| Nearest Airport | Luis Munoz Marin International (SJU) 21 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Earthquake History
22,567 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.4.
| Jan 7, 2020 | 4 km SSE of Indios, Puerto Rico | M6.4 | 73 km | 6 km |
| Jan 13, 2014 | 61 km N of Hatillo, Puerto Rico | M6.4 | 87 km | 20 km |
| Sep 24, 2019 | 67 km NNW of San Antonio, Puerto Rico | M6.0 | 124 km | 10 km |
| Jan 11, 2020 | 5 km SE of Maria Antonia, Puerto Rico | M5.9 | 76 km | 5 km |
| May 16, 2010 | 4 km E of Moca, Puerto Rico | M5.8 | 79 km | 113 km |
| Jan 6, 2020 | 14 km S of Indios, Puerto Rico | M5.8 | 81 km | 6 km |
| May 15, 2024 | 92 km NNW of San Antonio, Puerto Rico | M5.6 | 150 km | 7 km |
| Jan 7, 2020 | 0 km NW of Magas Arriba, Puerto Rico | M5.6 | 65 km | 9 km |
| Jan 7, 2020 | 11 km S of Tallaboa, Puerto Rico | M5.6 | 72 km | 10 km |
| Feb 4, 2008 | Puerto Rico region | M5.5 | 92 km | 15 km |
| Dec 11, 2000 | 65 km N of Isabela, Puerto Rico | M5.5 | 111 km | 53 km |
| May 2, 2020 | 6 km S of Tallaboa, Puerto Rico | M5.4 | 68 km | 9 km |
| Jul 3, 2020 | 9 km SSE of La Parguera, Puerto Rico | M5.3 | 92 km | 3 km |
| Nov 23, 1992 | 28 km NNW of San Antonio, Puerto Rico | M5.3 | 96 km | 31 km |
| Aug 1, 1993 | 68 km SSE of Emajagua, Puerto Rico | M5.3 | 130 km | 25 km |
| Jan 15, 2020 | Puerto Rico region | M5.2 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Jan 11, 2020 | 19 km S of Indios, Puerto Rico | M5.2 | 83 km | 10 km |
| Jan 10, 2020 | 4 km S of Maria Antonia, Puerto Rico | M5.2 | 80 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 92 km N of Suárez, Puerto Rico | M5.1 | 113 km | 47 km |
| Mar 12, 2009 | 66 km N of Brenas, Puerto Rico | M5.1 | 73 km | 15 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
24 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 5.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2025 | Erin | Category 4 | 144 mph | 217 km |
| 2024 | Ernesto | Category 1 | 75 mph | 189 km |
| 2022 | Fiona | Category 1 | 92 mph | 92 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 1 | 86 mph | 102 km |
| 2017 | Maria | Category 5 | 173 mph | 27 km |
| 2017 | Irma | Category 5 | 178 mph | 88 km |
| 2014 | Gonzalo | Category 3 | 115 mph | 230 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 92 mph | 22 km |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 4 | 132 mph | 170 km |
| 2008 | Omar | Category 4 | 132 mph | 214 km |
| 2004 | Frances | Category 4 | 144 mph | 230 km |
| 2004 | Jeanne | Category 1 | 81 mph | 178 km |
| 2000 | Debby | Category 1 | 75 mph | 69 km |
| 1999 | Lenny | Category 4 | 155 mph | 195 km |
| 1999 | Jose | Category 1 | 75 mph | 269 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 3 | 121 mph | 24 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 3 | 115 mph | 108 km |
| 1996 | Hortense | Category 1 | 81 mph | 77 km |
| 1995 | Luis | Category 4 | 144 mph | 231 km |
| 1995 | Marilyn | Category 3 | 115 mph | 85 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
30 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 16, 2023 | EF1 | 93 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 1, 2022 | EF1 | 45 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 1974 | EF1 | 39 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1969 | EF1 | 27 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1962 | EF1 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2023 | EF0 | 82 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 16, 2023 | EF0 | 54 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 2019 | EF0 | 18 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 2019 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2017 | EF0 | 31 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 2016 | EF0 | 17 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 2013 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 2012 | EF0 | 61 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2011 | EF0 | 82 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 2009 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 2007 | EF0 | 91 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 2006 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2005 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 16, 2004 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 4, 2002 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 15.2 m (50 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1867 | VIRGIN ISLANDS | Earthquake | 15.2 m | 24 | 142 km |
| 1918 | PUERTO RICO: MONA PASSAGE | Eruption + Earthquake | 6.1 m | 144 | 97 km |
| 1868 | VIRGIN ISLANDS | Earthquake | 1.5 m | — | 134 km |
| 2020 | PUERTO RICO | Earthquake | 0.1 m | 4 | 73 km |
| 1918 | PUERTO RICO | Earthquake | — | — | 94 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CAMPAMENTO SANTIAGO (3,927 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | CAMPAMENTO SANTIAGO | 3,927 | 44 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 3,896 | 43 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 1,888 | 47 km |
| 2005 | PISTA DE SALINAS CARR 3 | 1,137 | 45 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 725 | 55 km |
| 2007 | CARR 304 | 606 | 90 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 73°F (23°C) | 5.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| March | 75°F (24°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 77°F (25°C) | 4.7 in | |
| May | 79°F (26°C) | 8.0 in | |
| June | 80°F (27°C) | 5.4 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 6.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 8.0 in | Wettest |
| September | 80°F (27°C) | 6.4 in | |
| October | 80°F (27°C) | 6.5 in | |
| November | 78°F (26°C) | 7.6 in | |
| December | 76°F (24°C) | 6.6 in |
Vega Alta zona urbana has a seasonal temperature swing of 9°F / from 73°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 71.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (8.0") and February the driest (3.1").