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The Weather and Climate in Guatemala

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Guatemala’s climate is characterized by two seasons – the wet and dry seasons. It is generally hot throughout the country particularly in the coastal regions even during the rainy season from May to November and a maximum rainfall between May and September. The country’s highlands, including Guatemala City and Antigua, experience pleasant climate and less rainfall than the coastal regions. The rainy season is interrupted by a short dry period of two weeks in late July or early August.

The dry season prevails between November and April but moisture-laden trade winds from the Caribbean yield rainfall on the north and east portions facing the slopes, and therefore the season is not entirely dry with a typical month having three to four rainy days. Strong winds and cold air in the months of September and October are a threat to agricultural crops.

Climate varies in the country’s three climate zones, which are the tropical climate zone, temperate zone, and the cool zone. The areas covered under the tropical climate zone are those between sea level and 1,000 meters of altitude such as the eastern Guatemala, Rio Dulce, and the northern department of El Peten where Tikal and Flores are located. Climate in these areas is hot and humid day and night throughout the year. Under the temperate zone are those located 1,000 meters and 2,000 meters above sea level, where temperature is 30°C at daytime and pleasantly cool at night time. The areas in this zone are Antigua Guatemala, Lake Atitlan, Coban and Semuc Champey, which are tourist destinations.

Quetzaltenango is the only city in the cool climate zone because it is located more than 2,000 meters above sea level. At day time, the temperature is slightly lower than the temperate zone but at night time it occasionally drops below freezing point that necessitates clothing suited to the climate.