Cotopaxi Climate and Average Weather
Climate of Cotopaxi: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in Cotopaxi 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 | 24° | 12° | 4,0 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| February | 24° | 13° | 6,5 in | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| March | 24° | 13° | 4,9 in | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| April | 24° | 12° | 3,2 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| May | 23° | 14° | 3,2 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| June | 22° | 12° | 3,6 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| July | 21° | 13° | 3,9 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| August | 21° | 10° | 1,7 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| September | 22° | 9° | 2,3 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| October | 24° | 10° | 3,4 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| November | 25° | 13° | 3,5 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| December | 24° | 12° | 3,6 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
Climate type: Polar. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in Cotopaxi
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
How Cotopaxi compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against Cotopaxi.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quito | 35 mi | 54°F | +69°F warmer | 118 in |
| Chimborazo | 60 mi | 15°F | 34°F cooler | 71 in |
Best time to visit Cotopaxi
Go in April, August and September. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: January, February and March - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What this means for Cotopaxi
Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 22°F is in line with the 21°F typical for this month.
A 59% chance means rain is likely somewhere nearby at some point - carry a layer, but do not cancel.
Visibility is down to 2,1 mi - use low beams and leave extra following distance. Gusts to 42 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges. Overnight lows near 11°F mean ice is possible on bridges before dawn.
At 19.347 ft, air here runs roughly 101°F cooler than the same latitude at sea level.
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.
What to pack, what to skip
- A warm mid-layer and gloves for early mornings and evenings
- Insulated outer layer, hat and boots with grip for ice
- A packable rain shell - 4 of the next 7 days carry a real chance of rain
- Avoid high-elevation trails without traction devices - frozen surfaces persist in shade all day.
- Avoid exposed ridgelines, small boats and rooftop viewpoints while gusts stay above 42 mph.
- If your dates are flexible, avoid January, February and March - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
Cotopaxi is a mountain in Ecuador. Cotopaxi is a mountain known as a near-perfect volcanic cone. It sits at 19.347 ft above sea level.
Right now it is 14°F (-10°C) in Cotopaxi with overcast. It feels like 6°F. Today runs from 11°F to 22°F. Chance of precipitation is 59%. Sightseeing conditions score 4.2/10 - marginal.
The best time to visit Cotopaxi is April, August and September. The climate is polar. January, February and March tend to be the least comfortable months. November is the warmest month with average highs near 25°F, while September is the coldest with lows near 9°F.
Nearby highlights include Chimborazo.
In plain terms. Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 22°F is in line with the 21°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 6 PM to 9 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. Visibility is down to 2,1 mi - use low beams and leave extra following distance. Gusts to 42 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges. Overnight lows near 11°F mean ice is possible on bridges before dawn.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Quick facts about Cotopaxi
| Type | Mountain |
|---|---|
| Country | Ecuador |
| Continent | South America |
| Coordinates | 0°41′2.8″S 78°26′16.1″W (-0.6841, -78.4378) |
| Elevation | 19.347 ft |
| Known for | a near-perfect volcanic cone |
| Local time | 8:32 PM (UTC-05:00) |
| Best months | April, August and September |
| Climate | Polar |
Weather map for Cotopaxi
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 Cotopaxi
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Climate for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is Cotopaxi?
Cotopaxi is a mountain in Ecuador. Its coordinates are -0.6841, -78.4378. It lies in South America.
What is the weather like in Cotopaxi right now?
It is currently 14°F (-10°C) with overcast. Humidity is 97% and wind is 5 mph.
When is the best time to visit Cotopaxi?
April, August and September offer the most comfortable conditions in Cotopaxi, which has a polar climate. January, February and March are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Cotopaxi in?
Cotopaxi observes America/Guayaquil (UTC-05:00). The local time is 8:32 PM.
What are the top things to do in Cotopaxi?
Popular options include Chimborazo.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (mountains) - 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 22, 2026 at 8:32 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
