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El Salvador Climate
El Salvador has a tropical climate with pronounced wet and
dry seasons. Temperatures vary primarily with elevation and show
little seasonal change. The Pacific lowlands are uniformly hot;
the central plateau and mountain areas are more moderate.
The rainy season, known locally as invierno, or
winter, extends from May to October. Almost all the annual
rainfall occurs during this time, and yearly totals, particularly
on southern-facing mountain slopes, can be as high as 200
centimeters. Protected areas and the central plateau receive
lesser, although still significant, amounts. Rainfall during this
season generally comes from low pressure over the Pacific and
usually falls in heavy afternoon thunderstorms. Although
hurricanes occasionally form in the Pacific, they seldom affect
El Salvador.
From November through April, the northeast trade winds
control weather patterns. During these months, air flowing from
the Caribbean has had most of the precipitation wrung out of it
passing over the mountains in Honduras. By the time this air
reaches El Salvador, it is dry, hot, and hazy. This season is
known locally as verano, or summer.
Temperatures vary little with season; elevation is the
primary determinant. The Pacific lowlands are the hottest region,
with annual averages ranging from 25°C to 29°C. San
Salvador is
representative of the central plateau, with an annual average
temperature of 23°C and absolute high and low readings of
38°C
and 7°C, respectively. Mountain areas are the coolest, with
annual averages from 12°C to 23°C and minimum temperatures
sometimes approaching freezing.
Data as of November 1988
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