La Serena has a cool desert climate, similar to nearby places in that it is clearly seasonal � in Summer there is an absence of precipitation, but with abundant morning cloudiness and drizzles These dissipate around noon, giving way to clear skies and hot temperatures that range between 12 and 18 degrees Celsius. In winter the temperatures descend to between 6 and 12 degrees Celsius. Being located in a coastal zone the minimums and maximums are moderated by the maritime influence and the temperature of the ocean Pacific Ocean. Beginning in May the region's climate is strongly affected by the Humboldt Current that includes the zone of Atacama Region. Winter (specifically in June to August) is the rainy season, with a total precipitation approximately 100 mm (3.94 in) annually in the zone in a normal year, a notable exception being the year 1997 which experienced a total rainfall in the city near 500 mm (19.69 in)
