Most precipitation falls during the so-called Altiplanic winter in summer, but winter storms also bring some water to the Licancabur region. Ultraviolet irradiation in 2003 was measured to be . Occasionally, the Antarctic ozone hole influences the Licancabur area. The environment at Licancabur Lake has been compared to that of ancient lakes on Mars, raising interest in its lifeforms. In 2002, a weather station was placed on the shores of the lake and records weather and ultraviolet radiation data.