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Pátzcuaro sits at 2,140 meters (7,020 ft) above sea level in the Purépecha highlands of Michoacán, which gives it a subtropical highland climate (Köppen Cwb) with mild days and cool nights in every month of the year. Daytime highs stay between 23°C and 30°C (73°F to 86°F), while nights drop as low as 3°C (37°F) in January and reach 12°C (54°F) in June. The town averages about 1,010 mm (40 in) of rain a year, almost all of it between June and September. This is the full Pátzcuaro weather by month breakdown; pair it with our best time to visit Pátzcuaro guide, and start from the Pátzcuaro city guide for the broader picture.
Pátzcuaro Weather by Month: The Dry Season (November to April)
November through April is the dry season, and it is when most travelers visit. Rain is scarce, skies are clear, and daytime temperatures are comfortable. January is the coldest month, with a daytime high of 22.8°C (73°F) and a night low of 3.4°C (38°F); pack a warm layer because mornings before 9:00 and evenings after 19:00 stay chilly. February warms slightly to a 24.8°C (77°F) high and 4.0°C (39°F) low with only 5.9 mm of rain. March reaches 27.2°C (81°F) and April peaks at 29.2°C (85°F) with a low of 7.6°C (46°F), the driest stretch of the year at 6 to 7 mm per month.
Clear, dry days make November to April the best window for the outdoor things to do in Pátzcuaro, from climbing the Janitzio statue to walking the lake villages. The dry season is also fire season on the surrounding hills, so expect some haze on still afternoons in April and May. For getting around and bus logistics, see our Pátzcuaro travel tips page.
Pátzcuaro Weather by Month: The Rainy Season (May to October)
The rains build from late May and peak in July. May is still mostly dry at 45.6 mm, but by June the total jumps to 187.7 mm and the first heavy afternoon storms arrive, usually between 16:00 and 19:00. July is the wettest month of the year at 213.9 mm, followed closely by August at 206.3 mm and September at 197.5 mm. These three months average 20 or more rainy days each, and the rain arrives as short, intense thunderstorms rather than all-day drizzle, so you can still sightsee in the mornings.
October is the shoulder month, when the rain tapers to 80.7 mm and the landscape is greenest after the wet season. The Pátzcuaro events and festivals calendar is quietest in the rainy months, and some lake boat tours pause when storms are forecast. Bring a light waterproof jacket from June to September and shoes that dry fast, since the colonial streets flood in low spots after heavy rain.
Pátzcuaro Weather by Month: Monthly Temperatures and Rainfall
| Month | High °C (°F) | Low °C (°F) | Rain (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22.8 (73) | 3.4 (38) | 30.2 |
| February | 24.8 (77) | 4.0 (39) | 5.9 |
| March | 27.2 (81) | 5.4 (42) | 6.3 |
| April | 29.2 (85) | 7.6 (46) | 7.4 |
| May | 29.7 (85) | 9.7 (49) | 45.6 |
| June | 27.2 (81) | 12.2 (54) | 187.7 |
| July | 25.1 (77) | 11.7 (53) | 213.9 |
| August | 25.2 (77) | 11.6 (53) | 206.3 |
| September | 24.8 (77) | 11.4 (53) | 197.5 |
| October | 24.8 (77) | 9.3 (49) | 80.7 |
| November | 24.2 (76) | 6.1 (43) | 19.2 |
| December | 22.9 (73) | 4.1 (39) | 10.0 |
Figures are monthly climate normals for the municipality of Pátzcuaro. The annual mean temperature is 16.9°C (62°F). There is no sea temperature to track here because Pátzcuaro is inland. For hotel options by area, see where to stay in Pátzcuaro, and for the layout of the town read our Pátzcuaro neighborhoods guide.
