The climate in Bolivia

Climate zone: tropics

It is warm or hot yearlong. The warmest and rainiest part of the country is El Beni. The coldest is Oruro.

Temperature records of the last 78 years

The hottest temperature measured from 1945 to January 2023 was reported by the San Jose weather station. In September 2004, the record temperature of 49.3 °C was reported here. The hottest summer from July to September, based on all 34 weather stations in Bolivia below 3,950 meters altitude, was recorded in 2015 with an average temperature of 23.7 °C. This average temperature will normally be measured every four to six hours, thus also including the nights. Normally, this value is 22.0 degrees Celsius. The average maximum daily temperature at that time was 30.7 °C.

The coldest day in these 78 years was reported by the Oruro weather station. Here the temperature dropped to -15.4 °C in July 2009. Oruro lies at an altitude of 3,702 meters above sea level. The coldest winter (January to March) was in 1949 with an average temperature of 12.3 °C. In Bolivia, it is usual to have about 12.3 degrees more at 24.6 °C for this three-month period.

The most precipitation fell in December 1981. With 34.7 mm per day, the San Borja weather station recorded the highest monthly average of the last 78 years. Incidentally, the region with the most rainfall for the whole year is around San Ignacio De Moxos. The driest region is near Oruro.

Data basis and methodology

The data from the individual measuring stations are based on the archives of the German Weather Service, individual values averaged and supplemented by own elements. In order to determine a representative national average, average values were first calculated for each part of the country, which were then summarized at the national level. Thus, if a disproportionate number of weather stations are located in a small area, their number does not affect the national average. There are 35 stations in Bolivia itself. In 2 cases, neighboring but nearby weather stations were also used to obtain more accurate values.