
El Salvador, located in Central America, between Guatemala and Honduras, is characterized by its tropical climate. Despite its small size, the country’s geographical diversity influences its weather patterns. Understanding El Salvador’s climate is crucial for anyone planning to visit or learn more about this nation.
This article provides an in-depth look at the country’s general climate, its distinct seasons, and the impact of extreme weather events.
General Climate
El Salvador is known for its tropical climate, attributed to its location near the equator and along the Pacific Ocean. The weather remains fairly consistent throughout the year, maintaining warm temperatures with slight variations.
The country’s geography plays a significant role, offering a mix of coastal lowlands, central plateaus, and highland areas. While the coastal regions tend to be hot and humid, the highlands are more temperate due to their higher elevations.
People who have experience living in countries with very cold winters or extremely frosty conditions will find in El Salvador pleasantly warm and tropical, offering a dramatic contrast to the cold they are used to.
The coastal areas will feel especially warm and humid, while the highlands provide a more refreshing and temperate experience. Whether you’re basking in the sun on a beach or enjoying the cool breeze in the mountains, El Salvador’s climate is sure to be a welcome change.
Seasons of the Year
El Salvador experiences two main seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. Unlike countries with four distinct seasons, El Salvador has a marked shift between these two periods.
Dry Season
The dry season, also known locally as “summer” lasts from November to April. During this period, rainfall is scarce, and the weather remains consistently warm. The hottest months are typically March and April, where temperatures can reach uncomfortable highs, especially in lowland areas.
Rainy Season
The rainy season, referred to as “winter” by locals, spans from May to October. Characterized by frequent and heavy rainfall (especially in the evening hours).
Despite being the rainy season, temperatures don’t change much and remain warm. However, when it rains, the temperature drops slightly, providing some relief and freshening the environment. The rain usually comes in short, intense bursts, followed by clear skies.
In this season the field becomes lush and green, the grass that was dry comes back to life.
At the end of the rainy season, in the month of October, the “vientos de Octubre” (October winds), winds characteristic of this part of the year, usually appear for a few days.
Extreme Weather Events
While El Salvador’s consistent tropical climate is generally pleasant, the country is occasionally affected by more extreme weather phenomena.
Hurricanes forming in the Atlantic and moving across Central America can impact the region, bringing heavy rains, strong winds, and sometimes causing significant damage. However, it’s important to note that such hurricanes do not hit every week or even every month.
In addition to hurricanes, El Salvador sometimes experiences atmospheric depressions and tropical storms that can bring intense rainfall and increase the risk of flooding (in some parts of the country) and landslides.
These events do not occur every week, but it is common to experience one or more of these meteorological phenomena during the rainy season, not just in El Salvador but also in other countries in the region.
To better understand the external weather phenomena that affect and raise alarms in the territory of El Salvador and Central America during the rainy season, you can read the post: El Salvador Faces Ongoing Rainfall Amidst Continuing Low-Pressure System (approx. five days of rain so far).