PATAGONIA
CLIMATE
Because
of its great area, there
are important climatic
variations at the Region,
influenced mostly by the
relief, the sea and the
winds. In the eastern
slope of Patagonian mountain
range there is a cold
steppe climate that prevails
in the central continental
area.
This is the place where
most of the population
settlements, among them
Punta
Arenas, where the
average rainfall registers
425 millimeters annual,
mostly in spring-summer
and in winter as snow.
This is an area of constant
wind, more intense at
spring-summer, time at
which it reaches an average
speed of 30 to 40 kilometers
per hour, diminishing
almost at all in winter.
The average temperatures
by season in Punta Arenas,
sited in the geographical
center of continental
area are:
|
|
Spring
|
Summer
|
Autumn
|
Winter
|
|
Average
|
6,9
°C
|
10,6
°C
|
6,8
°C
|
2,0
°C
|
|
Maximum
average
|
11,2
°C
|
15,3
°C
|
10,0
°C
|
5,8
°C
|
|
Minimum
average
|
2,5
°C
|
5,5
°C
|
2,3
°C
|
1,3
°C
|
In
the tourist area of Torres
del Paine National
Park there is a mild climate;
besides there is a microclimate
area in Laguna Azul area,
with a considerable increase
of temperature in summer
(25 to 30 degrees Celsius).
In mountain chains there
is an ice climate while
in the Pacific coast area
and channels there is
a cold temperate climate,
with great humidity.
An special feature of
southern climate is the
amount of solar light
hours, which are less
in winter and extended
at summer reaching as
far as 18 hours, approximately,
in December.
|