Why does Lima have cool and damp winters despite its tropical latitude?

Although Lima is situated at a tropical latitude, its climate is significantly moderated by the cool offshore Peru Current, also known as the Humboldt Current.

This current cools the coastal air mass, which leads to the formation of thick cloud cover and the development of garúa, a dense sea mist that blankets the city during the winter months from May to November. The condensation of this mist is the primary source of moisture in the region, as annual precipitation rarely exceeds 2 inches (50 mm). Consequently, while the city remains in a tropical zone, these maritime influences create a temperate, cold, and damp winter environment.1