Weather in Cusco


Cusco city has a climate quite fresh almost during all the year. Nevertheless the climates vary in other zones of the region like Machupicchu or the Sacred Valley. The annual average temperature in the city is 12ºC (54ºF), whereas the annual average low temperature is 5ºC (42ºF), although really the minimum temperature can be under 0ºC (32ºF). The annual average high temperature is 18ºC (66ºF) but the maximum can reach 23ºC (73ºF).

The region of Cusco has only two seasons well-defined: wet season and dry season. The wet season starts in October, when in the southern hemisphere the spring begin and finish in March. In this time, it rain almost every day during three or four hours, mainly between December and March; but also there are several sunshine days. The average precipitation during this time is 98 mm (3.85 inches). The temperature fluctuates between 7ºC (45ºF) at night and 21ºC (70ºF) at noon. Besides, since November it is prohibited to do trekking in the Inca Trail towards Machu Picchu, which is the most famous trekking path in South America.
The dry season begin around March and lasts until September, during this time almost it does not rain and the sky is completely cleared every day. But between May and July it is quite cold. In Cusco these months are named “Tiempo de Heladas” (time of frost). During these months the temperatures decreases quite, mainly at nights; when they can reach until -5ºC (23ºF, under freezing point). Paradoxically at noon the temperatures can reach until 23 ºC (the annual maximum).

A peculiar phenomenon known as “Cabañuelas” occurs the first week of August, since usually it rain during some days. The "Cusqueños" (citizen of Cusco) believe that the rainfalls of these days can predict the climate during the wet season. For example if it rain the first Monday of August, that means that it will rain quite in January, it happens the same with Tuesday and February and the rest of days and months.
The average morning relative Humidity is 79% and the average afternoon relative humidity is 45%. The average wind speed is 18 Km/ph(11mph), being the maximum wind speed 20 Km/h(13mph), which occurs between August and October.
Other zones of Cusco have different climates, for example the zone of Machuicchu has a climate more humid; since it is located at a lower altitude and near to the Amazon Jungle. There, the average temperatures are between 23ºC (73ºF) and 25ºC (77ºF), being the minimum temperature around 18ºC (64ºF). Besides, in this zone it rains more often. 
The Sacred Valley also has two seasons: wet a dry, but it has a climate more mild and pleasant than Cusco, with average temperatures, that fluctuate between 14ºC (57ºF) and 22ºC (72ºF).
The dry season is the best time to visit Cusco and all its surrounding areas, since during this season the climate is quite mild. Besides, the most of events and celebrations like the “Inti Raymi” on June 24 (the feast of the sun and day of Cusco) occurs between May and November.

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