Does It Snow In Peru?

Peru is a country situated in South America bordering Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia and Chile to the south. Sitting on a 1.28 million square kilometer mass of land, Peru is home to scenic delight, flora, and fauna unique to the Amazon Rainforest. It is home to the largest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca and the Andes. Peru has an elevation of 22205 feet, with the highest point being the tip of Mount Huascaran at 6768 meters above sea level and the lowest point being at the Pacific Ocean’s shores at 0 meters.

It snows in Peru but only on the high mountain tops, with regions above 16,000 feet having permanent snow.

The higher you go, the cooler it becomes in Peru as the climate depends on altitude. The climate changes here are at the extreme ends in that it is dry and sunny at the pacific shores and cold and snowy on the mountain tops. Peru is located within the tropics and experiences three different climates depending on the altitude. It features a desert climate, a tropical rainforest, and a mountain climate.

Where does it Snow in Peru?

It snows on the highest mountain tops, such as on The Andes and high-altitude towns and cities. For instance, Puno, which sits at 12,500 feet above sea level, experiences snow for an average of 14.5 days each year. The snow accumulates to a depth of 1.81 inches (46mm).  November is the warmest month, and temperatures at Puno rise to 44.5 degrees Fahrenheit (4.7⁰ degrees Celsius), which is above freezing point, and therefore snow cannot fall during this time.

Desert climate is prevalent in low-altitude areas. These areas experience low temperatures that vary during the Austral winter. Interestingly, the Peruvian desert averages temperatures of 65 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius), while the temperatures in the tropics are slightly higher at 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) and varies slightly throughout the year.

Ski Resorts in Peru

Peru has no skiing resorts. The high mountain tops have glaciers and snow where experienced skiers can ski. Fret not, Peru has a diverse, eye-catching landscape and rich historical architecture, such as the magnificent ruined city of Inca in Machu Picchu set against lush Andes mountains’ backdrop. There is also the scenic Inca trail which leads up to the Machu Picchu.

Peru boasts of a UNESCO world heritage site in Cusco. It contains impressive architectural masterpieces such as La Compania and Cathedral.

Learn more about the country