Uyuni Salt Flats Temperature

The Salar de Uyuni experiences one of the world's most extreme diurnal temperature ranges, with differences of up to 30°C between midday and midnight. This swing results from the salt crust's high albedo—it reflects 80% of incoming solar radiation—and the thin air at high altitude, which holds little heat once the sun drops below the Andes. Wet season conditions, from December through March, bring afternoon temperatures near 20°C but also transform the flats into a shallow lake. The water layer moderates uyuni salt flats temperature extremes slightly, reducing nighttime lows to around 5°C to 8°C. Rain typically falls in short bursts between 14:00 and 17:00, and the flooded surface creates the mirror effect that draws photographers from across the globe. Cloud cover during this period also reduces the intensity of ultraviolet exposure, though sunscreen remains essential at this altitude. Dry season weather, from May to October, delivers crystalline visibility and a hard, hexagonal salt surface. Daytime temperatures hover between 10°C and 15°C under relentless sun, but nights can drop below -15°C, especially in June and July. The Potosi Department's position in the central Altiplano means no maritime influence moderates these swings. Wind chill during afternoon gusts can make exposed conditions feel significantly colder than the ambient reading, particularly near Incahuasi Island where the flats stretch unbroken for 40 kilometers in every direction. The shoulder months of April and November offer a compromise: daytime warmth between 13°C and 18°C, nighttime lows around 0°C to 3°C, and reduced crowds. April often retains residual water for partial mirror effects, while November marks the transition into rainy season with increasingly cloudy afternoons. Thermal layering becomes critical during these months, as a single morning departure from Uyuni town can move through three distinct microclimates by the time you return at dusk.