Record highRecord low2026 daily maximum2026 daily minimum
The band shows the record high and record low for each calendar day at El Arenal. The lines show the 2026 daily maximum and minimum. 0 days in 2026 matched or passed a record. Temperatures are in degrees Celsius.
Daily record high and record low at El Arenal, with 2026 drawn through them
Month
Highest record high
Lowest record low
2026 highest maximum
2026 lowest minimum
Jan
27.8 C (82.0 F)
-15.0 C (5.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Feb
30.0 C (86.0 F)
-12.2 C (10.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Mar
30.6 C (87.1 F)
-12.2 C (10.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Apr
33.9 C (93.0 F)
-7.2 C (19.0 F)
n/a
n/a
May
35.0 C (95.0 F)
-5.0 C (23.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Jun
35.6 C (96.1 F)
0.6 C (33.1 F)
n/a
n/a
Jul
32.8 C (91.0 F)
0.0 C (32.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Aug
31.7 C (89.1 F)
0.6 C (33.1 F)
n/a
n/a
Sep
31.7 C (89.1 F)
-3.3 C (26.1 F)
n/a
n/a
Oct
30.6 C (87.1 F)
-6.1 C (21.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Nov
31.7 C (89.1 F)
-10.0 C (14.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Dec
27.8 C (82.0 F)
-14.4 C (6.1 F)
n/a
n/a
Which Years Hold Standing Records
1,464 standing records
Year with most
1,464 records at El Arenal still stand. 2010 holds the most, with 189.
Standing records at El Arenal by the year they were set
Year set
Standing records
1973
2
1974
14
1975
20
1976
18
1977
42
1978
41
1979
45
1980
56
1981
37
1982
49
1983
33
1984
22
1985
9
1987
24
1988
26
1989
34
1990
35
1991
41
1992
40
1993
33
1994
33
1995
39
1996
34
1997
25
1998
35
1999
25
2000
21
2001
6
2002
10
2003
5
2004
17
2005
12
2006
6
2007
53
2008
23
2009
112
2010
189
2011
103
2012
95
All-Time Record Progression
2 new records
2 all-time records were set at El Arenal between 27 January 2012 and 3 September 2012. Each dot is a new record.
When El Arenal set new all-time records
Date
Kind
Detail
2012-01-27
Record low minimum temperature
Record low minimum temperature -15.0 C (5.0 F)
2012-09-03
Record daily precipitation
Record daily precipitation 99.8 mm (3.9 in)
Wettest Day of Each Month
Sep: 99.8 mm (3.9 in)
The wettest day on record for each calendar month at El Arenal. The most was 99.8 mm (3.9 in) on 3 September 2012.
Record daily precipitation for each month at El Arenal
Month
Record daily precipitation (mm)
Date
Jan
32.8 mm (1.3 in)
15 January 1985
Feb
27.9 mm (1.1 in)
2 February 2010
Mar
24.9 mm (1.0 in)
10 March 1997
Apr
21.8 mm (0.9 in)
15 April 1981
May
30.0 mm (1.2 in)
28 May 1983
Jun
69.9 mm (2.8 in)
6 June 1998
Jul
94.0 mm (3.7 in)
28 July 1988
Aug
68.8 mm (2.7 in)
25 August 1993
Sep
99.8 mm (3.9 in)
3 September 2012
Oct
83.8 mm (3.3 in)
3 October 1996
Nov
31.0 mm (1.2 in)
17 November 1976
Dec
34.8 mm (1.4 in)
16 December 1976
Period of Record Coverage
1973 to 2012
Complete yearUnder 90 percent of days
39 years of record at El Arenal, 1973 to 2012. 4 years have data for under 90 percent of days and are left out of rankings: 1973, 1974, 1985, 2008.
Cooler than the station meanWarmer than the station mean
One stripe for each of 27 complete years at El Arenal, 1975 to 2011. Blue stripes are years cooler than the station's own mean of 15.1 C (59.2 F); red stripes are warmer. The coolest year was 2011, at 9.3 C (48.7 F), and the warmest was 1994, at 17.0 C (62.5 F). The strongest colour marks a difference of 5.9 C (10.6 F).
Annual mean temperature at El Arenal as warming stripes, 1975 to 2011
Year
Annual mean temperature
Difference from the station mean
1975
15.6 C
+0.41 C
1976
14.9 C
-0.21 C
1977
15.5 C
+0.34 C
1978
15.4 C
+0.30 C
1979
15.9 C
+0.73 C
1980
16.2 C
+1.03 C
1981
15.9 C
+0.79 C
1982
16.7 C
+1.58 C
1983
15.5 C
+0.38 C
1984
15.4 C
+0.21 C
1988
15.7 C
+0.58 C
1989
15.9 C
+0.80 C
1990
16.1 C
+0.94 C
1991
16.3 C
+1.12 C
1992
15.8 C
+0.62 C
1993
16.5 C
+1.39 C
1994
17.0 C
+1.81 C
1995
16.9 C
+1.78 C
1996
16.4 C
+1.27 C
1997
15.6 C
+0.47 C
1999
16.0 C
+0.90 C
2002
14.1 C
-1.00 C
2004
13.3 C
-1.82 C
2005
13.8 C
-1.33 C
2007
12.5 C
-2.60 C
2009
10.4 C
-4.76 C
2011
9.3 C
-5.85 C
This station does not have enough complete years (30 are needed) to fit a temperature trend.
A year is complete when all 12 months have at least 20 days of both daily maximum and daily minimum readings. The annual mean is the mean of the monthly means. The trend describes this one station over this period; it does not say what caused the change.
Extremes by Year
1973 to 2012
Yearly extremes at El Arenal: the record and the median year
Measure
Record
Year of the record
Median year
Years with a value
Hottest day (TXx)
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1980
32.8 C (91.0 F)
39
Coldest night (TNn)
-15.0 C (5.0 F)
2012
-7.2 C (19.0 F)
39
Wettest day (Rx1day)
99.8 mm (3.9 in)
2012
48.8 mm (1.9 in)
39
Wettest five days (Rx5day)
241.6 mm (9.5 in)
1988
75.7 mm (3.0 in)
39
Longest dry spell (CDD)
171 days
2011
92 days
39
Hottest day (TXx)
The hottest day of the year at El Arenal, 1973 to 2012. The record is 35.6 C (96.1 F) in 1980, marked on the chart; the median year is 32.8 C (91.0 F).
Hottest day (TXx) at El Arenal by year
Year
Hottest day (TXx)
1973
27.2 C (81.0 F)
1974
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1975
31.7 C (89.1 F)
1976
31.7 C (89.1 F)
1977
32.8 C (91.0 F)
1978
33.9 C (93.0 F)
1979
33.9 C (93.0 F)
1980
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1981
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1982
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1983
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1984
32.8 C (91.0 F)
1985
22.8 C (73.0 F)
1987
31.7 C (89.1 F)
1988
31.7 C (89.1 F)
1989
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1990
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1991
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1992
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1993
33.9 C (93.0 F)
1994
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1995
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1996
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1997
31.7 C (89.1 F)
1998
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1999
35.0 C (95.0 F)
2000
33.9 C (93.0 F)
2001
30.0 C (86.0 F)
2002
31.7 C (89.1 F)
2003
31.7 C (89.1 F)
2004
30.6 C (87.1 F)
2005
33.9 C (93.0 F)
2006
30.0 C (86.0 F)
2007
30.0 C (86.0 F)
2008
30.0 C (86.0 F)
2009
30.0 C (86.0 F)
2010
27.8 C (82.0 F)
2011
26.7 C (80.1 F)
2012
30.0 C (86.0 F)
Coldest night (TNn)
The coldest night of the year at El Arenal, 1973 to 2012. The record is -15.0 C (5.0 F) in 2012, marked on the chart; the median year is -7.2 C (19.0 F).
Coldest night (TNn) at El Arenal by year
Year
Coldest night (TNn)
1973
-5.0 C (23.0 F)
1974
-6.1 C (21.0 F)
1975
-8.3 C (17.1 F)
1976
-8.3 C (17.1 F)
1977
-4.4 C (24.1 F)
1978
-7.2 C (19.0 F)
1979
-8.3 C (17.1 F)
1980
-3.3 C (26.1 F)
1981
-6.1 C (21.0 F)
1982
-4.4 C (24.1 F)
1983
-5.0 C (23.0 F)
1984
-8.3 C (17.1 F)
1985
-8.3 C (17.1 F)
1987
-5.0 C (23.0 F)
1988
-6.1 C (21.0 F)
1989
-5.0 C (23.0 F)
1990
-8.3 C (17.1 F)
1991
-5.0 C (23.0 F)
1992
-4.4 C (24.1 F)
1993
-3.3 C (26.1 F)
1994
-5.0 C (23.0 F)
1995
-3.3 C (26.1 F)
1996
-4.4 C (24.1 F)
1997
-14.4 C (6.1 F)
1998
-7.2 C (19.0 F)
1999
-9.4 C (15.1 F)
2000
-7.2 C (19.0 F)
2001
-8.3 C (17.1 F)
2002
-7.2 C (19.0 F)
2003
-10.0 C (14.0 F)
2004
-10.0 C (14.0 F)
2005
-6.1 C (21.0 F)
2006
-8.3 C (17.1 F)
2007
-6.1 C (21.0 F)
2008
-8.3 C (17.1 F)
2009
-11.1 C (12.0 F)
2010
-13.3 C (8.1 F)
2011
-12.2 C (10.0 F)
2012
-15.0 C (5.0 F)
Wettest day (Rx1day)
The wettest day of the year at El Arenal, 1973 to 2012. The record is 99.8 mm (3.9 in) in 2012, marked on the chart; the median year is 48.8 mm (1.9 in).
Wettest day (Rx1day) at El Arenal by year
Year
Wettest day (Rx1day)
1973
0.0 mm (0.00 in)
1974
19.8 mm (0.8 in)
1975
30.0 mm (1.2 in)
1976
64.8 mm (2.6 in)
1977
33.8 mm (1.3 in)
1978
49.8 mm (2.0 in)
1979
19.8 mm (0.8 in)
1980
36.8 mm (1.4 in)
1981
46.0 mm (1.8 in)
1982
34.8 mm (1.4 in)
1983
49.8 mm (2.0 in)
1984
52.8 mm (2.1 in)
1985
32.8 mm (1.3 in)
1987
54.9 mm (2.2 in)
1988
94.0 mm (3.7 in)
1989
43.4 mm (1.7 in)
1990
40.4 mm (1.6 in)
1991
65.8 mm (2.6 in)
1992
25.9 mm (1.0 in)
1993
68.8 mm (2.7 in)
1994
27.9 mm (1.1 in)
1995
26.4 mm (1.0 in)
1996
83.8 mm (3.3 in)
1997
47.8 mm (1.9 in)
1998
69.9 mm (2.8 in)
1999
26.9 mm (1.1 in)
2000
79.8 mm (3.1 in)
2001
31.8 mm (1.3 in)
2002
59.9 mm (2.4 in)
2003
79.8 mm (3.1 in)
2004
49.8 mm (2.0 in)
2005
42.9 mm (1.7 in)
2006
48.8 mm (1.9 in)
2007
59.9 mm (2.4 in)
2008
59.9 mm (2.4 in)
2009
50.8 mm (2.0 in)
2010
66.8 mm (2.6 in)
2011
36.8 mm (1.4 in)
2012
99.8 mm (3.9 in)
Wettest five days (Rx5day)
The wettest five days of the year at El Arenal, 1973 to 2012. The record is 241.6 mm (9.5 in) in 1988, marked on the chart; the median year is 75.7 mm (3.0 in).
Wettest five days (Rx5day) at El Arenal by year
Year
Wettest five days (Rx5day)
1973
0.0 mm (0.00 in)
1974
39.8 mm (1.6 in)
1975
62.0 mm (2.4 in)
1976
168.1 mm (6.6 in)
1977
61.4 mm (2.4 in)
1978
60.4 mm (2.4 in)
1979
41.4 mm (1.6 in)
1980
99.4 mm (3.9 in)
1981
67.6 mm (2.7 in)
1982
61.7 mm (2.4 in)
1983
103.2 mm (4.1 in)
1984
84.6 mm (3.3 in)
1985
51.4 mm (2.0 in)
1987
102.2 mm (4.0 in)
1988
241.6 mm (9.5 in)
1989
58.2 mm (2.3 in)
1990
99.6 mm (3.9 in)
1991
129.6 mm (5.1 in)
1992
44.5 mm (1.8 in)
1993
135.4 mm (5.3 in)
1994
57.1 mm (2.2 in)
1995
47.8 mm (1.9 in)
1996
188.4 mm (7.4 in)
1997
77.3 mm (3.0 in)
1998
75.7 mm (3.0 in)
1999
42.9 mm (1.7 in)
2000
94.8 mm (3.7 in)
2001
48.8 mm (1.9 in)
2002
75.7 mm (3.0 in)
2003
205.3 mm (8.1 in)
2004
104.8 mm (4.1 in)
2005
73.7 mm (2.9 in)
2006
93.1 mm (3.7 in)
2007
105.7 mm (4.2 in)
2008
101.8 mm (4.0 in)
2009
71.4 mm (2.8 in)
2010
117.6 mm (4.6 in)
2011
49.8 mm (2.0 in)
2012
121.4 mm (4.8 in)
Longest dry spell (CDD)
The longest dry spell of the year at El Arenal, 1973 to 2012. The record is 171 days in 2011, marked on the chart; the median year is 92 days.
Longest dry spell (CDD) at El Arenal by year
Year
Longest dry spell (CDD)
1973
55 days
1974
74 days
1975
134 days
1976
92 days
1977
146 days
1978
63 days
1979
92 days
1980
54 days
1981
41 days
1982
154 days
1983
82 days
1984
98 days
1985
43 days
1987
94 days
1988
149 days
1989
146 days
1990
79 days
1991
113 days
1992
47 days
1993
70 days
1994
55 days
1995
117 days
1996
69 days
1997
33 days
1998
76 days
1999
156 days
2000
62 days
2001
107 days
2002
58 days
2003
110 days
2004
57 days
2005
125 days
2006
110 days
2007
135 days
2008
83 days
2009
109 days
2010
96 days
2011
171 days
2012
97 days
Each chart shows one value per year; the dot marks the record year. TXx is the hottest daily maximum, TNn the coldest daily minimum, Rx1day and Rx5day the largest one-day and five-day rain totals, and CDD the longest run of days with less than 1 mm of rain. A year with missing days can understate an extreme.
Frost Dates and Growing Season
27 years with a frost
Across 27 years with a frost, the median last spring frost at El Arenal falls on 18 March and the median first autumn frost on 3 November, which leaves a median of 227 days between them.
Fitted over all years, the growing season changes by -24.9 days per decade at this station.
Frost dates and growing season at El Arenal
Measure
Median, all years
Earliest period
Recent period (1975 to 2011)
Recent against earliest
Fitted trend
Last spring frost
18 March
n/a
18 March
n/a
+11.3 days per decade
First autumn frost
3 November
n/a
3 November
n/a
-13.5 days per decade
Growing days
227 days
n/a
227 days
n/a
-24.9 days per decade
A frost day is a day with a daily minimum at or below 0 C (32 F). The last spring frost and the first autumn frost are the last and first such days of the cold season, and growing days are the days between them. A negative trend for the last spring frost means it comes earlier.
Rainfall Return Levels
37 years, 1974 to 2012
A day with at least 48.3 mm (1.9 in) of rain is expected about once in 2 years. A day with at least 110.7 mm (4.4 in) of rain is expected about once in 100 years.
Rainfall return levels at El Arenal: the daily rain expected about once in a given number of years
Expected about once in
A day with at least
Note
2 years
48.3 mm (1.9 in)
5 years
67.2 mm (2.6 in)
10 years
78.8 mm (3.1 in)
25 years
92.4 mm (3.6 in)
50 years
101.9 mm (4.0 in)
Longer than the 37 years of record
100 years
110.7 mm (4.4 in)
Longer than the 37 years of record
The levels come from a generalised extreme value (GEV) distribution fitted by L-moments to the wettest-day total of each year, 37 years of values from 1974 to 2012.
A return level is an estimate. It is least reliable for the long periods, 50 and 100 years, and for any period longer than the record behind the fit, where the fit has to reach past the largest day actually observed. It is not a forecast.
The largest wettest-day totals in the fit: 99.8 mm (3.9 in) in 2012; 94.0 mm (3.7 in) in 1988; 83.8 mm (3.3 in) in 1996.
Download the Data
Data for El Arenal standing records by year: CSV or JSON. Field meanings are on the data page.
Data for El Arenal threshold days by year: CSV or JSON. Field meanings are on the data page.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Climatology Network Daily (GHCN-Daily). Records are computed by World Extreme Weather Monitor and are not official NOAA products. (US Government open data (NOAA NCEI)) Data as of 2026-10-15 (15 October 2026). Records are computed by this site and are not official.