Lake Chapala, Mexico was rated to be the second best climate in the world according to some obscure National Geographic article written many years ago but whether it's first, second or even in the top 5, there is one thing I know for sure. It's fabulous!!
Lake Chapala sits in in an ideal location. You won’t find any extremes here. Daily temperatures on a year-round basis will vary only by 10-14 degrees C (about 8 degrees F)
There is no other place where you can experience one of the best climates in the world, at a low cost, yet still in very close proximity to the U.S or Canada.
Latitude - 20°18"N, 103°15"W
Elevation - It sits at 5,046 feet (1,538 m) elevation, keeping it cool enough throughout the year but not too cool.
Distance from the Ocean - It is inland enough so that you don't receive sweltering hot summers and high humidity.
Finally, the climate is moderated by Mexico's largest lake keeping it from getting too hot in summer and too cool in winter.
Can one ask for anything more? Well, there is more. It rarely rains during the day! Yes, you read that right. Most rainfall happens overnight and by the time you awake and have your coffee you are graced again with another beautiful day to enjoy. The only times we have rains during the day is when there is hurricane offshore which because of their size, brings us showers for a few days.
So what kind of weather can you expect when you come to visit our little slice of heaven? Lets take a look at the seasons, average temperatures, and provide some advice on clothing.
The Dry Season - Winter (November, December, January, February)
By November 1st the dry season is fully upon us and nights begin to get cooler with sun or sun and cloud virtually every day. How cool does it get? Normal overnight lows are 11 degrees C (52 F), just enough to take out a light sweater or jacket and wear pants during the evening. Humidity levels are moderate at this time of year allowing for the sun to warm things up quickly in the mornings. You will find 80% humidity in the mornings going down to 45-50% in the afternoon as temperatures climb to 20-24 C ( 68-75 F). Not too bad for winter!
The Dry Season - Spring (March, April, May)
Warm and dry fringing on hot and dry depending your your body and tolerance to heat. Many gringos start to find these months (May in particular) to be too hot for them with high temperatures reaching 35 C ( 95 F). The saving grace and what sets Lake Chapala apart from the coast is that during this period the humidity levels are extremely low. In the mornings 40%, down to 15% in the afternoons.
The Rainy Season - Summer (June, July, August, September) -
June is the start of the rainy season and according to many expats the most beautiful time of the year.
Somewhere between the third week in May and the 15thof June, we'll see the first of the overnight rain events complete with lots of thunder and lightning. These events last 1 to 2 hours and generally happen overnight. On occasion we see thunderstorms happening very late in the day or early evening or early morning (before 9 am). You'll be amazed at how fast things dry up if we have a early morning rainfall.
By July, when the hurricanes start forming off shore and marching their way northward up the coast, we may see some rainy days lasting 3-4 days. Late August and early September is the most common for that.
The End of the Rainy Season - Fall (October)
Less frequent rainfall events during this period signal the approaching end to the dry season.
Once we get into the Fall season, temperatures are still warm, though they are beginning to drop. Temperatures range from overnight lows of 14 C (57 F ) to highs of 25 C (77 F). Rains can still happen overnight (although less frequently) or (again only if there is a hurricane offshore) during the day. This may be time again to bring out a light sweater or wear pants when out in the evening.
No matter what time you come for a visit, the Lake is beautiful year round, with the mountains lush and green during the summer and dry and brown during the winter. The lake a shining mirror for sunny days and breathtaking sunsets. The evenings clear for stargazing.
If you would like further information on the area, we provide unlimited information so be sure to get in touch with us.
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Thanks for reading.
Michaela & Ricardo are your FULL SERVICE Real Estate Agents. Along with our Retirement Seminars, our over 20 years of combined experience Lakeside, and our network of area Professionals, we help guide you to from beginning to forever in your Retirement Journey to Lake Chapala, Mexico.
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