The climate of Cuenca
Peering into the atmospheric behavior of
Cuenca,
Ecuador reveals a balanced climate throughout the year, mirrored in its classification as a marine west coast climate with warm summer, according to the Köppen climate system. Positioned at an elevation of 2,560 meters above sea level, the climate stays relatively moderate and mild during all seasons. Rainfall demonstrates a regular pattern and unlike other tropical regions, severe heat waves or frozen switches are foreign to this area.
Temperatures show a nominal range, peaking at an average of 15.5°C in
October and touching a low point of 13.5°C in
July. The variations are small, indicating a fairly consistent temperature throughout the year. On the other hand, rainfall records are not as steady. Rainfall follows an oscillatory mode, hitting a high of 157mm in
March while sinking to 35mm in
August. A closer look at rainfall patterns will highlight that the beginning and end of each year tend to be wet, while the middle months encounter less rainfall.
Among other unique patterns, snowfall records portray a remarkable fact:
December,
January, and
February have virtually no snowfall, with only minimal occurrences spotted from
June to August. Bright sunshine hours fluctuate subtly through the years, touching the highest mark of 9 hours in October while descending to 6.7 hours in February.
The best time to visit Cuenca
Analyzing the climatic patterns of
Cuenca, the months from
July to
September can be acknowledged as the most comfortable for visiting, thanks to the lower rainfall noted during these months. While the city doesn't swelter under the sun, the hours of sunshine are extended to around 8 to 8.7 during these months, offering sparkling, clear days. Moreover, temperatures remain reasonably cool, averaging between 13.5°C to 15.3°C, therefore these months hold promises of pleasant weather for touristic activities.
The worst time to visit Cuenca
The beginning and end of the year can be quite unwelcoming for travelers due to increased rainfall. The months from
January to
April and from
November to
December all see monthly average rainfall ranging from 113mm to 157mm. Even though temperatures remain pleasant, from 14.3°C to 15.4°C, the heavy rain might act as a deterrence to outdoor activities and exploration.
Spring weather in Cuenca
Springtime in
Cuenca, from
September to
November, is slightly drier than other times of the year. The fall in rainfall, recording a maximum of only 129mm in November, combines well with the average temperature of 15°C, delivering a comfortable and agreeable climate. The sunshine hours vary from 8.7 to 8.7 hours over these months, harboring bright, pleasant days.
Summer weather in Cuenca
Summer occupies the months of
December to
February in
Cuenca, where the city witnesses a simultaneous surge in temperature and rainfall. The downpours reach up to 133mm in February, creating an environment of dampness. Yet, the daily temperatures remain gentle, ranging between 14.3°C to 14.7°C, and the sunshine hours remain fairly steady at around 7 hours per day.
Autumn weather in Cuenca
Autumn extends from
March to
May in
Cuenca, where it brings a sharp rise in rainfall, peaking at 157mm in March. Temperatures during this season show little change, gradually progressing from 14.7°C in March to 14.4°C in May. Sunshine hours increase marginally as the season proceeds, starting from 6.9 hours per day in March to reach up to 7.6 hours per day in May.
Winter weather in Cuenca
Residing in the months of
June to
August, winter in
Cuenca is characterized by the lowest rainfall of the year and moderate temperatures. The rainfall hits the annual low of 35mm in August, thus offering a respite for residents and visitors alike from the typically wet climate. The city experiences winter temperatures ranging from 13.5°C to 14.4°C. Despite falling into the coldest time of the year, the weather stays comfortably warm thanks to the tropical location. Sunshine hours also hit a yearly high, reaching up to 8.7 hours per day in August, making the winter relatively dry and sunny.
Weather in January
January in
Cuenca,
Ecuador, is characterized by cool temperatures and high relative humidity, lending the city a distinctive start to the year. Average rainfall stands at 127mm, making moisture a prevalent feature throughout the month.
Weather in January » Weather in February
The ambience in
Cuenca continues to be cool and humid in
February. With an average rainfall measurement of 133mm, wet conditions are to be expected. In comparison to
January, slight variations in weather parameters are observed yet the overall conditions remain similar.
Weather in February »Weather in March
A stark contrast is witnessed in
Cuenca's weather transition from
February to
March. With rainfall shooting up to 157mm, this month registers as the wettest period of the year. As March progresses, temperatures experience a marginal rise while humidity remains consistently high.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
The season of showers takes a dip in
April as rainfall amounts drop down from 157mm to 128mm. April's weather maintains continuity with the damp and cool conditions seen in prior months, but with subtle variations. On account of lesser rainfall, increased hours of sunlight are a notable change towards the end of this month.
Weather in April »Weather in May
May in
Cuenca brings about changes in the city's weather scene with a significant reduction in rainfall and an increase in sunshine hours. The rainfall holds at 96mm, amplifying the effect of diminishing showers. As a predominant characteristic of May, the humidity eases off a bit, lending a pleasant ambiance to the city.
Weather in May » Weather in June
June ushers in a distinctly dry phase throughout
Cuenca with a substantial dip in rainfall, down to 50mm. The city's weather inclines towards drier and cooler conditions as compared to
May. Coupled with an apparent increment in sunshine hours, June provides a very different weather perspective.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
Cooler temperatures and a decrease in rainfall accentuate the arrival of
July in
Cuenca. Observing 52mm of rainfall, July takes prides as the driest month of the year. July’s weather conditions stand out for their cool, dry character, with a significant decrease in rainfall from the year's peak in
March.
Weather in July »Weather in August
Similar to
July,
August in
Cuenca continues to be cool and relatively drier. However, the star of this month's weather show is the plentiful sunshine with a recorded 8.7 hours a day on average. This change complements the dry, cool weather, presenting a unique side of Cuenca's climatic personality.
Weather in August »Weather in September
As
Cuenca steps into
September, the city basks in the highest average sunshine hours, peaking at 8.8 hours per day. Despite a marginal increase in rainfall to 43mm from the previous month, pleasant weather conditions dominate this month.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
A conspicuous alteration in weather patterns is seen in
Cuenca with
October's arrival. A considerable increase in average rainfall to 113mm marks October as the onset of late-year showers. The weather in October depicts a mix of raised humidity and persistent low temperatures.
Weather in October »Weather in November
The month of
November in
Cuenca is characterized by further amplification in rainfall reaching up to 129mm on average. This marks the city's transition into a late year wet phase, contrasting the drier times earlier in the year.
Weather in November »Weather in December
Closing the year,
December in
Cuenca presents a blend of heavier rainfall at an average of 118mm, consistent low temperatures, and increased humidity. Despite the higher volumes of precipitation, the city still sees a generous amount of sunshine, adding an interesting twist to the weather storyline.
Weather in December » [Resources]