Morelia sits at 1,920 metres elevation, which keeps it temperate year-round — cool nights even in summer, pleasant days that rarely get oppressively hot. The rainy season runs June to October, with afternoon showers most days but usually clear mornings. November to May is dry.
The biggest annual event is the Monarch Butterfly migration, which peaks November to March when millions of butterflies arrive at the nearby biosphere reserve. The Day of the Dead (late October to early November) is celebrated with particular intensity in Michoacan — the lake town of Patzcuaro, about an hour away, is one of the most famous places in Mexico for the festivities. December brings Morelia's famous Christmas posadas. The Morelia International Film Festival (FICM), held in October, draws attention from across Latin America and Mexico's film industry.