South America Climate and Average Weather
Climate of South America: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in South America month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 82° | 69° | 11,8 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| February | 82° | 69° | 11,1 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| March | 83° | 69° | 9,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| April | 84° | 69° | 4,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| May | 86° | 70° | 1,1 in | ★★★★★ |
| June | 88° | 69° | 0,5 in | ★★★★★ |
| July | 89° | 69° | 0,4 in | ★★★★★ |
| August | 92° | 70° | 0,6 in | ★★★★★ |
| September | 91° | 71° | 2,1 in | ★★★★☆ |
| October | 87° | 71° | 5,9 in | ★★★★☆ |
| November | 85° | 70° | 6,8 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| December | 83° | 70° | 9,3 in | ★★★☆☆ |
Climate type: Tropical. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in South America
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
Climate by country in South America
12 countries mapped in this atlas
Best time to visit South America
Go in May, June, July and August. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: January, February and December - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What this means for South America
Today is slightly warmer than average for August. The forecast high of 96°F is 3.8°F above the 92°F typical for this month.
Rain is very unlikely today - plans do not need a backup.
No weather-related travel disruption is expected today. Roads and airports should run normally.
Within 15 degrees of the equator, day length barely changes all year; seasons are defined by rain, not temperature.
Southern Hemisphere, so peak summer falls in December to February.
The gap between the warmest and coldest month averages 38°F - an unusually even climate through the year.
What to pack, what to skip
- Lightweight, light-coloured clothing and a refillable water bottle
- Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and SPF 30+
- Insect repellent and quick-dry fabrics for humidity
- Avoid long hikes after mid-morning; start at dawn or leave it for a cooler day.
- If your dates are flexible, avoid January, February and December - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
South America is a continent. South America runs from the Caribbean coast to Patagonia, dominated by the Andes and the Amazon basin. It has a population of about 440 million.
Right now it is 70°F (21°C) in South America with clear. It feels like 71°F. Today runs from 69°F to 96°F. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Sightseeing conditions score 9.9/10 - excellent - go now.
The best time to visit South America is May, June, July and August. The climate is tropical. January, February and December tend to be the least comfortable months. August is the warmest month with average highs near 92°F, while January is the coldest with lows near 69°F.
The closest major airport is El Dorado International Airport (BOG), about 1.587 mi away. Nearby highlights include Galapagos National Park, Iguazu National Park, Torres del Paine National Park and Christ the Redeemer.
In plain terms. Today is slightly warmer than average for August. The forecast high of 96°F is 3.8°F above the 92°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 7 AM to 10 AM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. stargazing is the strongest bet in South America today at 10/10. No weather-related travel disruption is expected today. Roads and airports should run normally.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Quick facts about South America
| Type | Continent |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 8°46′59.5″S 55°29′29.4″W (-8.7832, -55.4915) |
| Population | 440.000.000 |
| Area | 6.888.060 sq mi |
| Local time | 10:12 AM (UTC-03:00) |
| Best months | May, June, July and August |
| Climate | Tropical |
Weather map for South America
Animated model layers. Pick a layer to load it.
Animated layers by Windy. For pin-level detail and nearby places, see the interactive map below.
Explore South America
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Frequently asked questions
Where is South America?
South America is a continent. Its coordinates are -8.7832, -55.4915.
What is the weather like in South America right now?
It is currently 70°F (21°C) with clear. Humidity is 61% and wind is 2 mph.
When is the best time to visit South America?
May, June, July and August offer the most comfortable conditions in South America, which has a tropical climate. January, February and December are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is South America in?
South America observes America/Santarem (UTC-03:00). The local time is 10:12 AM.
How many people live in South America?
South America has a population of approximately 440 million.
What is the nearest airport to South America?
The closest airports are Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM), 1.486 mi away, El Dorado International Airport (BOG), 1.587 mi away and Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), 1.809 mi away.
What are the top things to do in South America?
Popular options include Galapagos National Park, Iguazu National Park, Torres del Paine National Park, Christ the Redeemer, Machu Picchu and Salar de Uyuni.
What places are in South America?
South America covers 12 places in this atlas, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (continents) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Forecast and observations | Open-Meteo (ECMWF and national models). |
| Air quality and pollen | Copernicus CAMS via Open-Meteo. US AQI scale. |
| Climate averages | ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, aggregated over 3 years. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated August 21, 2026 at 10:12 AM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
