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Should I open the windows in Lima right now?

Live decision for Lima. Updated every 30 minutes.

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Read next Airing in winter: how much heat do you really lose? Work it out for your home with our calculator. Read next When to open windows in summer The hours that cool your home fastest.

Ventilation guide for Lima

Lima has an arid or semi-arid climate — extreme heat and very low humidity define the summer months, creating ventilation conditions unlike any other climate type. Summer daytime highs regularly exceed 38–45°C, making outdoor air far hotter than indoor air for the majority of daylight hours. During peak summer, windows should generally be kept closed during the day; the viable ventilation opportunity is overnight, when temperatures can drop 15–20°C from the afternoon peak in true desert climates.

That overnight temperature drop is Lima's ventilation advantage. From roughly 10 PM through 6–7 AM in summer, outdoor air cools to 20–28°C — conditions where cross-ventilation can effectively cool a building with good thermal mass. Structures with thick walls, concrete, or stone work best: they absorb cool night air and release it slowly through the hot day. Dust and particulates are the key air quality concern in desert climates — sandstorms and dust events can raise PM10 concentrations to hazardous levels within hours. OpenWindow.live monitors real-time particulate data to flag these events before you open a window.

Lima: climate and the best hours to open the windows

In February, the warmest month in Lima, afternoons reach 25 °C on average and nights fall to 21 °C. The coolest air arrives between 04:00 and 07:00 (21 °C on average): that is when opening the windows cools the home fastest.

Fine particles (PM2.5) are usually lowest around 05:00 (11 µg/m³) and highest around 13:00 (14 µg/m³).

MonthAvg highAvg lowHumidityCoolest hoursPM2.5
January24 °C20 °C81%04:00–07:0013
February25 °C21 °C80%04:00–07:0015
March25 °C20 °C80%04:00–07:0015
April23 °C19 °C81%04:00–07:0012
May21 °C17 °C83%04:00–07:0013
June20 °C15 °C83%04:00–07:0013
July19 °C14 °C83%04:00–07:0012
August19 °C14 °C83%04:00–07:0012
September19 °C14 °C83%04:00–07:0013
October19 °C15 °C84%04:00–07:0011
November21 °C16 °C82%04:00–07:0012
December22 °C18 °C81%04:00–07:0013

Data: Open-Meteo historical archive, hourly averages 2021–2025 (air quality 2023–2025), local time.

Frequently asked questions

When is it best to open windows in Lima?

In Lima, the best ventilation times are typically early morning (5–8 AM) and late evening (after sunset) when outdoor temperatures drop below indoor levels.

Is it safe to leave windows open at night in Lima?

Yes, in most weather conditions. Open windows can drop indoor temperature by 2–5°C in 30 minutes if outdoor air is cooler. Check the live recommendation above for tonight.

What outdoor humidity is too high for ventilation?

Above 80% humidity, opening windows can make indoor air feel sticky. Combine with dehumidifier or wait for drier hours.