The climate of Cali
Recognized for its tropical rainforest climate,
Cali, located in
Colombia, is associated with the Köppen climate classification 'Af'. A prominent characteristic of this climatic zone is that it often remains humid and warm throughout the year. Throughout the region, an almost constant temperature prevails, with monthly highs fluctuating around 25°C (77°F) to 26.5°C (79.7°F) and lows ranging from 16.6°C (61.9°F) to 17.5°C (63.5°F).
Remarkably consistent humidity, generally in the 80% range, contributes to the tropical feel. Precipitation is a recurrent phenomenon, with rainfall reaching especially high levels, from 154mm (6.06") in the driest month to a substantial 294mm (11.57") in the wettest. Despite the significant amount of rainfall throughout the year, it does not translate into an equal number of rainy days. The number of rainy days in Cali varies minimally, from 27.3 to 30.9 days each month.
Throughout the year, daylight hours fluctuate little, hovering around 12 hours, while the hours of sunshine range from an annual low of 6.9 hours to a high of 10 hours. The UV index alterations remain minimal throughout the year, oscillating from 5 to 6, indicating moderate to high levels of ultraviolet radiation depending on the month. Despite Cali's location in the heart of a tropical rainforest climate, the city experiences limited cloud coverage, with percentages varying around 37% to 54%.
The best time to visit Cali
While
Cali's weather is quite consistent year-round due to the tropical climate, there are certain months when the conditions result in an optimal experience for sightseeing. These months normally occur when the sunshine duration is the longest, which is from
May to
September, with sunshine durations extending to 10 hours in September. During this time, the UV index is moderately high, reaching up to 6 in
August and September. Rainfall, while still present, tends to be lower, with 154mm (6.06") in August being the lowest reported level. The temperature remains comfortable, with minimal variations.
The worst time to visit Cali
Visiting
Cali during the months when rainfall reaches its yearly peaks may pose some challenges in terms of outdoor activities. The highest levels of rainfall occur from
March to
May, notably peaking in May at 294mm (11.57"). Despite this, the temperature remains stable throughout the year; there are no drastic changes or extreme temperatures. In addition, visitors should expect less sunshine during this period, with sunlight durations reaching the yearly low of 6.9 hours in
December.
Spring weather in Cali
In
Cali, spring typically sees the onset of the heaviest rainfall. The months of
March,
April, and
May exhibit an increase in rainfall, peaking at 273mm (10.75"), 278mm (10.94"), and 294mm (11.57") respectively. Though the temperature remains relatively constant, with highs between 25.4°C (77.7°F) to 25.8°C (78.4°F) and lows from 17.3°C (63.1°F) to 17.5°C (63.5°F), humidity levels rise up to 86% during this time. Sunshine duration decreases gradually with the progression of the season, with a decrease from 7.6 hours in March to a low of 7.3 hours in April.
Summer weather in Cali
Summer months in
Cali, from
June to
August, offer a paradoxical blend of sunshine and rain. June kicks off with a moderately high rainfall of 210mm (8.27"), which drastically drops to 154mm (6.06") by August. Clear skies become more prevalent during this time, with cloud percentage dropping to 37% in August. Daylight and sunshine hours reach an annual high of 12.3 and 10, respectively. The temperature during summer ranges from a high of 25.5°C (77.9°F) to a peak of 26.5°C (79.7°F), with relatively low fluctuations.
Autumn weather in Cali
In autumn,
Cali experiences a steady rise in rainfall, with measurements increasing from 154mm (6.06") in
September to 246mm (9.69") in
November. The temperature remains uniform with a high of 26.1°C (79°F) in September and lows ranging from 17.1°C (62.8°F) to 17.4°C (63.3°F) throughout the season. Despite the increased rainfall, the number of sunshine hours remains fairly high, dropping only slightly from 10.1 hours in September to 8.1 hours in November.
Winter weather in Cali
Cali greets winter with a robust increment in rainfall, starting at 246mm (9.69") in
December and reaching 256mm (10.08") by
February. The number of sunshine hours goes down to the lowest of the year at 6.9 hours in December. On the other hand, temperature fluctuations remain remarkably steady, with high temperatures moving around 25°C (77°F) and lows between 16.9°C (62.4°F) to 17.3°C (63.1°F). Winter sets a unique tone on the weather with cloud coverage at its highest, rising up to 54%.
Weather in January
Continuous rainfall characterizes the month of
January in
Cali,
Colombia. This situation often places it between
December and
February, with January manifesting the highest relative humidity at 84%. Consequently, the precipitation can potentially influence the wipeouts for outdoor activities.
Weather in January »Weather in February
The weather in
February in
Cali,
Colombia, witnesses slight changes compared to
January. The conditions could be described as a mild transition towards
March weather. Even though the month maintains a damp environment, there is a reduction in rainfall from that recorded at 186mm (7.32") in January.
Weather in February »Weather in March
March is an eventful month weatherwise in
Cali,
Colombia. There is a noticeable increase in rainfall when compared to
February's 188mm (7.4"), registering at 273mm (10.75"). Subsequently, the weather conditions may seem very similar to those experienced in
April.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
Cali,
Colombia, experiences a rather steady thermal profile, which does not manifest vast fluctuations even with progressing months such as
April. However, subtle changes occur in its microclimate, echoing closely with conditions experienced in
March.
Weather in April » Weather in May
Entering
May, the weather patterns in
Cali,
Colombia, yield a semblance to the conditions witnessed during the month of
June. Despite the undulating rainy spells that are expected in this period, the climate remains persistently warm.
Weather in May »Weather in June
June brings about a tangible change in the landscape of
Cali,
Colombia, weather conditions. Consistent with the weather in
May, June continues to drench the city, albeit at a reduced scale. This wet disposition does not necessarily translate into less desirable atmospheric conditions, however.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July in
Cali,
Colombia, sets a considerable contrast in weather dynamics between
June and
August. There is a considerable reduction in the intensity of the rainfall that was witnessed at 210mm (8.27") in June. Warm afternoons and crisp mornings are typical, promoting a more agreeable climate.
Weather in July » Weather in August
August harbors the blend of sunny skies and short spurts of rainfall, registering at 154mm (6.06"), the minimum annual figure for
Cali,
Colombia, culminating in an incredibly pleasant climate. A transition towards the wetter months of
September and
October slowly commences.
Weather in August » Weather in September
The onset of
September in
Cali,
Colombia, commands weather variations that usher in increased rainfall from the previous month's lowest of 154mm (6.06"). The city's climate during this period mimics closely the conditions seen in
October.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
In
October,
Cali,
Colombia, sustains its high-rainfall trend, closely mirroring the weather of the previous month,
September. The transition towards the year-end brings about an interesting shift in climate conditions. Prolonged spells of rain become the norm, contributing a unique sheen to the cityscape.
Weather in October »Weather in November
Weather in December
December, as the year draws to a close in
Cali,
Colombia, continues to affirm the climate pattern of
November, providing the city with fairly consistent weather conditions. It concludes on a predictably wet note, closely mirroring the climate observed at the beginning of the year in
January.
Weather in December » [Resources]