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Weather & Climate in Zarcero, Costa Rica

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Zarcero enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winters average 66°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 127 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual precipitation totals 127.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 5,863 feet.

Temperature

66°F Jan (19°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average66.9°F
24% above US avg
January Average66°F (19°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days127 days/yr

Geography

Elevation5,863 ft (1,787 m)
Area4.6 sq mi (11.8 km²)
Population Density779/sq mi
Coordinates10.1846°N, 84.3916°W
TimezoneAmerica/Costa_Rica

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 127.1"
234% above US avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Aug) 15.79"
Driest Month (Mar) 3.27"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

611 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.6.

Sep 5, 2012 11 km ENE of Hojancha, Costa Rica M7.6 102 km 35 km
Mar 25, 1990 7 km SSE of Puntarenas, Costa Rica M7.3 54 km 22 km
Aug 20, 1999 42 km S of Quepos, Costa Rica M6.9 129 km 20 km
Mar 7, 1992 5 km SW of Río Segundo, Costa Rica M6.6 8 km 79 km
Oct 24, 2012 Costa Rica M6.5 100 km 17 km
Jul 21, 2000 55 km SSE of Sámara, Costa Rica M6.4 134 km 33 km
Mar 25, 1990 11 km E of Paquera, Costa Rica M6.4 63 km 27 km
Mar 16, 1991 15 km N of Nandayure, Costa Rica M6.3 87 km 33 km
Apr 24, 1991 16 km SE of La Suiza, Costa Rica M6.2 108 km 13 km
Mar 1, 1991 13 km SE of Los Chiles, Costa Rica M6.2 88 km 197 km
Sep 4, 1996 13 km WSW of Quepos, Costa Rica M6.2 92 km 33 km
Jan 8, 2009 10 km NNE of Sabanilla, Costa Rica M6.1 21 km 14 km
Jun 1, 2010 12 km SSW of Quepos, Costa Rica M6.0 97 km 18 km
Dec 22, 1990 2 km NNE of Santiago, Costa Rica M6.0 36 km 17 km
May 13, 2011 7 km ESE of Atenas, Costa Rica M5.9 27 km 73 km
Aug 28, 1996 15 km S of Parrita, Costa Rica M5.9 90 km 33 km
Feb 13, 2012 27 km S of Quepos, Costa Rica M5.9 115 km 16 km
May 20, 2010 25 km SW of Quepos, Costa Rica M5.9 105 km 21 km
Aug 21, 1999 45 km W of Ciudad Cortés, Costa Rica M5.8 149 km 24 km
Oct 9, 2010 3 km SSW of Río Segundo, Costa Rica M5.8 11 km 91 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 86 mph 238 km
2016 Otto Category 3 115 mph 91 km
2009 Ida Category 1 75 mph 294 km
2005 Beta Category 1 - 298 km
1996 Cesar Category 1 86 mph 230 km
1988 Joan:miriam Category 4 144 mph 191 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).

Tsunami History

7 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 2.0 m (7 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1950 COSTA RICA-NICARAGUA Earthquake 2.0 m - 112 km
1990 COSTA RICA Earthquake 1.0 m - 50 km
2012 COSTA RICA Earthquake 0.2 m 2 102 km
1952 COSTA RICA-PANAMA Earthquake 0.1 m - 90 km
2019 IRAZU VOLCANO Explosion - - 63 km
1924 COSTA RICA Earthquake - - 68 km
1905 GULF OF NICOYA Earthquake - - 49 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

10 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Platanar (13 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Platanar Stratovolcano(es) 2,267 m (7,438 ft) Unknown 13 km
Poas Stratovolcano 2,708 m (8,885 ft) 2019 17 km
Barva Complex 2,906 m (9,534 ft) -6050 32 km
Arenal Stratovolcano 1,670 m (5,479 ft) 2010 46 km
Irazu Stratovolcano 3,432 m (11,260 ft) 1994 63 km
Turrialba Stratovolcano 3,340 m (10,958 ft) 2019 71 km
Tenorio Stratovolcano(es) 1,916 m (6,286 ft) Unknown 87 km
Miravalles Stratovolcano 2,028 m (6,654 ft) 1946 104 km
Rincon de la Vieja Complex 1,916 m (6,286 ft) 2020 125 km
Orosi Stratovolcano(es) 1,659 m (5,443 ft) Unknown 148 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 66°F (19°C) 6.3 in
February 66°F (19°C) 4.0 in
March 68°F (20°C) 3.3 in Driest
April 69°F (21°C) 4.1 in Warmest
May 69°F (20°C) 11.6 in
June 67°F (20°C) 14.5 in
July 68°F (20°C) 14.0 in
August 67°F (20°C) 15.8 in Wettest
September 67°F (19°C) 15.7 in
October 66°F (19°C) 15.3 in
November 66°F (19°C) 12.6 in
December 65°F (18°C) 10.1 in Coldest

Zarcero has a seasonal temperature swing of 4°F / from 65°F in December to 69°F in April. Total annual precipitation is 127.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (15.8") and March the driest (3.3").

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