The climate in Ecuador

Due to its location on the equator, the country's average temperatures are almost identical throughout the year. Only the Antarctic Humboldt Current provides somewhat lower temperatures and lower humidity on the coast from July on. While the Pacific Ocean is tropically warm, the Andean highlands (2,000 to 3,000 meters) have a temperate climate. The mountains cause temperature differences of up to 20 degrees during the day. Snow falls only at altitudes above 3,500 meters. Different seasons are hardly noticeable in the Sierra. In the rainforest of the Amazon lowlands, the tropical climate is most pronounced and most precipitation falls in the first half of the year.

Temperature records of the last 65 years

The hottest temperature measured from 1958 to January 2023 was reported by the Nuevo Rocafuerte weather station. In September 2010, the record temperature of 37.4 °C was reported here. The hottest summer from July to September, based on all 17 weather stations in Ecuador below 3,120 meters altitude, was recorded in 1997 with an average temperature of 22.4 °C. This average temperature will normally be measured every four to six hours, thus also including the nights. Normally, this value is 19.7 degrees Celsius.

The coldest day in these 65 years was reported by the La Concordia weather station. Here the temperature dropped to zero °C in February 2019. La Concordia lies at an altitude of 360 meters above sea level. The coldest winter (January to March) was in 1963 with an average temperature of 12.2 °C. In Ecuador, it is usual to have about 8.9 degrees more at 21.1 °C for this three-month period.

The most precipitation fell in November 1997. With 37.8 mm per day, the Pichilingue weather station recorded the highest monthly average of the last 65 years. Incidentally, the region with the most rainfall for the whole year is around Puyo. The driest region is near Porto Viejo.

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 18 stations in Ecuador itself. In 2 cases, neighboring but nearby weather stations were also used to obtain more accurate values.