Colombia’s rainy seasons run in two distinct periods across the interior Andes, while everyday temperatures depend on elevation. Colombia Desk is a guide and concierge for foreigners buying property in, moving to, or visiting Medellín or Bogotá.
The country contains five primary thermal floors determined by elevation, from sea-level plains to high-altitude Andean peaks. Medellín sits in the temperate band with warm days, while Bogotá rests higher in the cold zone with brisk nights. Both major cities experience a bimodal rainfall pattern with two wet seasons each year.
Colombia’s Weather Follows Altitude
Colombia’s thermal floors (pisos térmicos) set average temperature by elevation. Medellín and Bogotá each have two rainy seasons: roughly March or April to May, and September or October to November.
According to data compiled in public geographical records on the Climate of Colombia, the nation divides into five distinct elevation zones:
| Thermal zone | Elevation range | Average temperature | Notable areas or cities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tierra caliente (warm land) | Sea level to 1,000 m | Above 24 °C | Santa Marta, Neiva, Cali, Cúcuta |
| Tierra templada (temperate land) | 1,000 to 2,000 m | 17 to 22 °C | Medellín |
| Tierra fría (cold land) | 2,000 to 3,000 m | 10 to 17 °C | Bogotá, Andean cloud forests |
| Páramo (high moorland) | 3,000 to 4,000 m | Below 10 °C | No cities listed |
| Glacial zone | 4,000 m and higher | Around 10 °C or less | No cities listed |
Precipitation across these altitude bands is attributed to the Intertropical Convergence Zone. Both Medellín and Bogotá show two rainy seasons a year. In the temperate zone, annual rainfall generally ranges between 2,000 and 2,500 mm. In the cold zone, annual precipitation averages around 2,000 mm overall. Station totals differ from these zone averages; Bogotá, in the cold zone, records 877 to 1,012 mm.
Medellín Temperatures and Rainy Seasons
Medellín sits at an elevation of about 1,500 meters (4,905 feet) above sea level, placing it directly within Colombia’s tierra templada zone. Historical climate normals recorded between 1991 and 2020 at the Olaya Herrera airport weather station (situated at 1,490 meters) show a mean annual temperature of about 22 °C. Average daily highs reach approximately 28.0 °C and average daily lows settle near 17.7 °C. Across the full cycle of days and nights, temperatures typically stay within a range of 17 to 28 °C.
Precipitation in Medellín follows a bimodal pattern, resulting in two distinct rainy seasons each year:
- First rainy season: Runs roughly from March or April through May.
- Second rainy season: Runs roughly from September or October through November.
Records documented in the Medellín meteorological data report a total annual rainfall of 2,238 mm. Rainfall peaks during three specific months: November is the wettest month in the 1991 to 2020 normals with 327 mm of precipitation, followed closely by April with 300 mm and October with 276 mm. Conversely, July and August represent the city’s driest stretch of the year, averaging 56 mm and 53 mm of precipitation respectively.
See where to stay in Medellín and the Medellín itinerary.
Bogotá Temperatures and Rainy Seasons
Bogotá rests at an average elevation of about 2,600 m (8,600 ft) above sea level in the tierra fría zone. Climate normals recorded between 1991 and 2020 at the El Dorado airport weather station (located at an elevation of 2,547 meters) establish an annual mean temperature of about 14.5 °C. The average daily high reaches 19.4 °C, while the average daily low drops to 8.3 °C.
Earlier historical data from the National Observatory station covering 1971 through 2000 recorded very similar figures, documenting an average daily high of 19.6 °C and an average daily low of 9.0 °C.
Precipitation in Bogotá is also bimodal, sharing the same two-season rhythm found throughout the Andean interior:
- Rainiest months: April, May, September, October, and November.
- Driest months: December, January, July, and August.
Annual rainfall totals in Bogotá are substantially lower than those recorded in Medellín. Records documented for Bogotá show 877 mm of annual precipitation at the El Dorado airport station and 1,012 mm at the National Observatory station. Those considering living in Bogotá or researching where to stay in Bogotá should expect chilly nights year-round (average low 8.3 °C) and rain concentrated in April to May and September to November.
Climate Comparison Between Medellín and Bogotá
Comparing the climate figures illustrates the differences between living in tierra templada and tierra fría:
| Climate metric | Medellín (Tierra Templada) | Bogotá (Tierra Fría) |
|---|---|---|
| Average elevation | About 1,500 m (4,905 ft) | About 2,600 m (8,600 ft) |
| Thermal zone | Tierra templada | Tierra fría |
| Mean annual temperature | About 22 °C | About 14.5 °C |
| Typical daily high | Around 28.0 °C | Around 19.4 to 19.6 °C |
| Typical daily low | Around 17 to 18 °C | Around 8.3 to 9.0 °C |
| Annual precipitation | 2,238 mm | 877 to 1,012 mm |
| Primary rainy months | November (327 mm), April (300 mm), October (276 mm) | April, May, September, October, November |
| Primary dry months | July (56 mm), August (53 mm) | December, January, July, August |
See our Medellín vs Bogotá comparison and living in Colombia pros and cons.
Packing and Trip Planning for Colombian Weather
Pack for the city’s elevation first, then add rain gear for the wet months.
- Bogotá: layers for 8 to 19 °C.
- Medellín: warm-weather clothing for highs near 28 °C and lows near 17 to 18 °C.
- Either city: a rain jacket or umbrella in the wet months.
Snow in the Glacial Zone
The thermal-floor list places the glacial zone from about 4,000 m upward. Snow is most plausible there. This page has no snow-tourism information.
Immediately below the glacial zone sits the páramo band, from 3,000 to 4,000 meters, where average temperatures stay below 10 °C.
Regional Weather Data Not Covered Here
This guide focuses strictly on the established altitude bands and the weather data above for Medellín and Bogotá. Several other regions, microclimates, and weather patterns exist throughout Colombia that are not detailed on this page, including:
- Month-by-month rainfall and temperature distributions for the Caribbean coast (including Santa Marta).
- Historical seasonal breakdowns for Cali, the Pacific coastline, the coffee region, and the Amazon basin.
- Hurricane or storm season.
- Snow-related tourism in the glacial zone.
IDEAM, Colombia’s national weather and climate agency, publishes forecasts and warnings at IDEAM.
Next Steps for Planning Your Relocation or Stay
Pick the city by elevation first, then plan around its two rainy seasons. Our concierge works on the buyer’s or mover’s side. Contact us through the contact page to discuss your plans.