Climate of Venezuela

Temperature regimes of Venezuela

The Climate of Venezuela is characterized for being tropical and megathermal as a result of its geographical location near the Equator, but because of the topography and the dominant wind direction, several climatic types occur which can be the same as found in temperate latitudes, and even polar regions. Latitude exerts little influence on the Venezuelan climate. While the coastal cities of Maracaibo, Barcelona, Porlamar and Maiquetia can get extremely hot, cities in valleys such as Mérida, Caracas, Los Teques and San Cristobal have cooler climates, and the highest towns of Mucuchies and Apartaderos have cold (tundra) climates.

The hottest part of Venezuela is the northwest (Paraguana Peninsula and Guajira Peninsula), where temperatures of more than 38 °C (100 °F) are frequently recorded. The coldest part in the country are located in the highest areas of the Cordillera de Mérida, where temperatures lower than −2 °C (28 °F) are recorded. The Venezuelan Coastal Range and Guiana Highlands have average temperatures from 25 °C (77 °F) to 11 °C (52 °F), while the Llanos average temperature is over 23 °C (73 °F).

The highest temperature recorded was 42 °C (108 °F) in Machiques, and the lowest temperature recorded was −11 °C (12 °F), it has been reported from an uninhabited high altitude at Páramo de Piedras Blancas (Mérida state), even though no official reports exist, lower temperatures in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Mérida are known.

Climate zones according to Köppen

Köppen climate classification map of Venezuela.

According to the Köppen climate classification, Venezuela's climate types are:

Group A: Tropical climates

It's the most prevalent and characteristic climate of the country. Maintaining temperatures above 18 °C (64 °F) and rainfall in most of the year:

• Tropical savanna climate (Aw)

It can be found throughout the country, dominating the Llanos and northern Guayana Region, as well as other parts of the country. It is dry between December and March with annual rainfall between 600 and 1,500 mm.

• Tropical monsoon climate (Am)

It is located in the Guayana Region, Orinoco Delta, west of Zulia, Andean and Coastal range foothills, Paria Peninsula and Barlovento region; with rainfall between 1,600 and 2,500 mm per year and a drought of just 45 days.

• Tropical rainforest climate (Af)

It's located south of Venezuela, Orinoco Delta, El Tamá area in west of Venezuela, and south of Maracaibo Lake. Rainfall exceeds 2,500 mm, not tending dry season.

• Tropical climates of Venezuela
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  Tropical savanna climate, influenced by a temperate highland climate in Caracas Valley
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  Tropical savanna climate in the Gran Sabana
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  Tropical savanna climate in the Llanos
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  Tropical monsoon climate in Sur del Lago
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  Tropical monsoon climate in Canaima
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  Tropical rainforest climate in Orinoco Delta
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  Tropical rainforest climate in Paria Peninsula

Group B: Dry climates

This type of climate the evaporation exceeds precipitation. In Venezuela is typical of desert and arid coastal areas and with annual temperatures above 18 °C. The cold semiarid type can be found at elevated portions of the Andes, where annual average are below 18 °C, resulting in cooler air.

• Hot desert climate (BWh)

It can be found in Guajira Peninsula, Paraguana Peninsula, Araya Peninsula and most of the Insular region.

• Hot semi-arid climate (BSh)

It is located in the northern part of Zulia state, most of the area of Lara state and Falcón state, the coastal area, Insular region and some semi-arid areas in Venezuelan Andes.

• Cold semi-arid (BSk)

It can be found locked at the temperate zones of high Andean valleys of Cordillera de Mérida. This climate type occurs because, at these elevations, the air is cooler, which reduces humidity and results in lower precipitation. Combined with higher rates of evaporation relative to precipitation, these areas experience a semi-arid steppe-like environment.

• Dry climates of Venezuela
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  Hot desert climate in Medanos de Coro National Park
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  Hot desert climate in Cabo San Roman
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  Hot desert climate in Coche Island
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  Hot semi-arid climate in Puerto La Cruz
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  Hot semi-arid climate in Barquisimeto
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  Cold semi-arid climate in Los Nevados
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  Cold semi-arid climate in the Southern foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Mérida

Group C: Temperate climates

The monthly averages temperatures are below 22 °C (72 °F) but above 0 °C (32 °F). At least one month's average temperature is below 18 °C (64 °F). This cooler climate occur primarily in high-altitude regions of the country, because of their elevation, which moderates the tropical temperature found at lower altitud. The main types found in Venezuela are:

• Temperate highland climates with dry winters (Cwb)

It tends to experience noticeably drier weather during the lower-sun "winter" season. It's located in the medium areas of the southern-east slope of Cordillera de Mérida and Sierra de Perija, the highest areas of south-western Venezuelan coastal range.

• Temperate highland climates without dry season (Cfb)

This climate doesn't tend to has a dry season. It's located in the medium areas of the Cordillera de Mérida and Sierra de Perija, the highest areas of Venezuelan coastal range, and the top of the highest Guiana Highlands Tepuis.

• Temperate climates of Venezuela
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  Temperate highland climate in Colonia Tovar
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  Temperate highland climate in Auyantepui
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  Temperate highland climate in Amazonas
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  Temperate highland climate in Sierra La Culata
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  Temperate highland climate in El Avila National Park
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  Temperate highland climate in Táchira

Group E: Alpine climates

It's characterized by average temperatures below 10 °C in all 12 months of the year:

• Alpine tundra (ETH)

Also known as páramo climate, this climate often undergo a sudden and drastic change in daily-weather in which they fluctuate between temperatures from below freezing to as high as 20 °C. Mean annual temperatures range from 2 °C (36 °F) to 10 °C (50 °F). It is located above the 3,000 m in the Sierra de Perija and Cordillera de Mérida. Snowfall is possible above 3,800 meters but becomes more noticeable around 4,200 meters, especially during the rainy season from late May to early October. This coincides with the peak activity of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, bringing humid air from the southeast of the Mérida Cordillera, originating from the Venezuelan Llanos, and from the south of Lake Maracaibo Lowlands, which contribute moisture to the region. The most popular village with this climate in the country is the town of Apartaderos

• Alpine glacier (EFH)

This climate is reserved to the highest peaks of the Venezuelan Andes, such as Pico Bolívar, Pico Humboldt, Pico Bonpland, among others, where exposed rocky surfaces and patches of glaciers remain from the last Pleistocene glaciation, known locally as Mérida glaciation. Snowfall typically occurs during the rainy season, from late May to early October, further accentuating the frigid conditions of these high altitudes.

• Alpine climates of Venezuela
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  Alpine glacier in the Pico Humboldt
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  Alpine glacier in the Pico Bolívar
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  Alpine glacier climate in Pico La Concha
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  Alpine tundra climate in Sierra de La Culata
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  Alpine tundra climate in Pico Piedras Blancas
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  Alpina tundra at Laguna de Mucubají
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  Alpine tundra at Laguna Coromoto
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  Snow in Mérida
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  Alpina tundra at Mifafí Valley

Climate zones according to altitude

Venezuelan climatic types, according to their thermal floors.

Venezuelan climates are structured in "thermal floors", as mentioned next:

Very Hot

This climate is characterized by very hot temperatures above 26 °C (79 °F), with precipitations that ranges from dry (less than 300 mm) to pluvial (more than 3300 mm) conditions. This climate can be found in areas below 300 m in sedimentary basins and lowlands such as the Llanos, Orinoco Delta, Maracaibo Basin, Orinoco Basin, and coastal plains and islands; it comprises almost all the country. This climate zone is present in cities like Maracaibo, Punto Fijo, Ciudad Guayana, Porlamar, Puerto La Cruz, Barinas, Tucupita, Cumaná, Maturin, Anaco, Ciudad Bolívar, Cabimas, El Vigía and others.

Warm

Warm climate can be found between 300 and 650 m. It's characterized by temperatures from 23 °C (73 °F) to 26 °C (79 °F) and precipitations that ranges from scarcely rainy (300 – 700 mm) to pluvial (more than 3300 mm) conditions. This climate can be found in lower foothills and plateaus in the Guiana Highlands, Venezuelan Coastal Range, Coro region and Venezuelan Andes. Cities which have this climate zone are Barquisimeto, Maracay, Valencia, Guarenas-Guatire, San Juan de Los Morros, Charallave, Valera, Barinitas, San Antonio del Táchira, Quibor and others.

Cool

This climate features temperatures between 18 °C (64 °F) to 23 °C (73 °F) and precipitations that ranges from scarcely rainy (300 – 700 mm) to pluvial (more than 3300 mm) conditions. It can be found in the country's mountainous areas between 650 and 1,350-1,600 m This climate zone is present in cities like Mérida, San Cristóbal, Caracas, Sanare, Villa de Cura, Ejido, Trujillo, Escuque, Rubio, Tovar, Boconó, Duaca, Bejuma, Los Teques, Nirgua, Santa Elena de Uairen, among others.

Mild/Temperate

Mild or Temperate climate can be found in the mountainous areas between 1,350-1,600 to 2,400 m. It features temperatures around 13 °C (55 °F) to 18 °C (64 °F) and precipitations that ranges from scarcely rainy (300 – 700 mm) to pluvial (more than 3300 mm) conditions. This climate zone is present in cities like Mérida (higher part), Colonia Tovar, San Antonio de Los Altos, El Jarillo, El Junquito, Galipan, Timotes, La Grita, Tabay, La Mucuy and others; most of the top of the tepuis also present this climate.

Cold

This climate is characterized by temperatures above 8 °C (46 °F) and below 13 °C (55 °F), with precipitations that ranges from scarcely rainy (300 – 700 mm) to pluvial (more than 3300 mm) conditions. This climate can be found in mountainous areas around 2,400 to 3,200 m specifically in Sierra de Perija, Cordillera de Mérida, higher elevations at Venezuelan Coastal Range and higher tepuis (Monte Roraima, Kukenan, Cerro Marahuaca, Chimantá Massif). This climate zone is present in towns like Mucuchíes, Chachopo and Los Nevados.

Very Cold

This climate can be found in the Venezuelan Andes area, between 3,200 and 4,150 m. It's characterized by temperatures from 3 °C (37 °F) to 8 °C (46 °F) and precipitations that ranges from scarcely rainy (300 – 700 mm) to rainy (1800–2500 mm) conditions. This climate zone is present in towns like Apartaderos and Llano del Hato. The condition of this climate is also known as páramo

Frosty

Frosty climate is found at the highest areas in Venezuelan Andes, between 4,150 and 4,700 m. where the temperatures are between 0 °C (32 °F) to 3 °C (37 °F). This climate zone is present exclusively at Sierra Nevada de Mérida, Sierra de La Culata and Sierra de Santo Domingo.

Glacial

This climate is characterized by average temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F) all year, it's located in the highest peaks of Venezuela in the Cordillera de Mérida such as Pico Bolívar, Pico Humboldt, Pico La Concha, Pico Bonpland, Pico Espejo, Pico Mucuñuque and Pico Piedras Blancas. Only Pico Bolivar and Pico Humboldt have their glaciers preserved, while the other peaks are exposed to nival zone conditions.

See also

• Geography of Venezuela