Atacama Desert Temperatures: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights
On this page, we’ll explore temperature statistics for Atacama Desert in Antofagasta Region, Chile, including day and night variations and monthly averages. We’ll also compare the annual temperature to other cities in Chile.
Monthly Temperature Averages
The climate in Atacama Desert remains fairly constant, offering comfortable temperatures throughout the year. Average maximum daytime temperatures range from a comfortable 25°C in February, the warmest time of the year, to a pleasant 20°C during cooler months like July. At night, minimum temperatures typically average around 1°C during these months.
The chart below illustrates the average maximum day and minimum night temperatures in Atacama Desert by month:
The lowest temperatures typically occur between 4 AM and 6 AM, while the peak temperatures are generally observed around 3 PM, when the sun's heating is most intense.
The chart below shows the average temperature throughout the year:
July, the city’s coldest month, sees about 4.1 mm of rainfall spread over roughly 0 days.
Annual Temperatures in Chile Compared
The map below shows the annual temperature across Chile. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
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Atacama Desert Temperatures Compared World Wide
Atacama Desert’s average annual maximum temperature is 23°C. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:
In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual temperature is around 21°C, resulting in warm summers and mild winters throughout the year.
Meanwhile, Queenstown, New Zealand, the average annual temperature is significantly lower at 10°C, with mild summers and cold winters.
Osaka, Japan, offers a similar climate to Tokyo, with an average annual temperature of 22°C.
In Brisbane, Australia, the average annual temperature is 26°C, making it warmer than Sydney.
How are these Temperatures Measured?
Generally, temperature data depicting climate is usually given over a 30-year average in order to reduce short-term fluctuations and reveal better long-term trends in climate conditions.
This temperature data is taken from land-based thermometers, ocean buoys, ships, and satellites. These measurements are transmitted to weather stations and climate centers around the globe where they are processed, averaged, and analyzed in order to monitor the trends and create climate models.
Sea vs. Land Temperatures
The influence of nearby oceans or large water bodies significantly affects local temperatures:
- Ocean Influence: Coastal regions tend to have more stable temperatures, as large bodies of water absorb and release heat slowly. This often results in milder winters and cooler summers compared to inland areas.
- Continental Climates: Landmasses well away from large bodies of water tend to show greater extremes in temperature, having hotter summers and colder winters because of the absence of water as a moderating influence.
For more detailed information about Atacama Desert’s weather, including monthly rainfall, sunshine hours, and humidity levels, visit our Atacama Desert climate page.
Current temperature in Atacama Desert
