Climate of Argentina

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Rural areas cover the region of Las Pampas.

The Andean range over the province of Chubut.

Arid and hot weather predominate in the northern region.

The climate of Argentina is classified as temperate. The country is subject to a variety of climates. The north of the country is characterized by very hot, humid summers with mild drier winters, and is subject to periodic droughts. Central Argentina has hot summers with thunderstorms (in western Argentina producing some of the world's largest hail), and cool winters. The southern regions have warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall, especially in mountainous zones. Higher elevations at all latitudes experience cooler conditions.

The hottest and coldest temperature extremes recorded in South America have occurred in Argentina. A record high temperature of 49.1 °C (120.4 °F), was recorded at Villa de María, Córdoba on January 2, 1920. The lowest temperature recorded was −39 °C (−38.2 °F) at Valle de los Patos Superior, San Juan, July 17, 1972.

The Sudestada (literally “southeastern”) could be considered similar to the Noreaster, though snowfall is rarely involved (but is not unprecedented). Both are associated with a deep winter low pressure system. The sudestada usually moderates cold temperatures but brings very heavy rains, rough seas, and coastal flooding. It is most common in late autumn and winter along the coasts of central Argentina and in the Río de la Plata estuary.

The southern regions, particularly the far south, experience long periods of daylight from November to February (up to nineteen hours), and extended nights from May to August. All of Argentina uses UTC-3 time zone. The country does observe daylight saving time occasionally, the last summertime being started at 0:00 December 30, 2007 and being finished at 0:00 March 16, 2008.

Extremities Argentina's eastermost continental point is northeast of the town of Bernardo de Irigoyen, Misiones (26°15′S, 53°38′W), the westernmost in the Mariano Moreno Range in Santa Cruz (49°33′S, 73°35′W). The northernmost point is located at the confluence of the Grande de San Juan and Mojinete rivers, Jujuy (21°46′S, 66°13′W), and the southernmost is Cape San Pío in Tierra del Fuego (55°03′S, 66°31′W).^[1]

1 Seasons
- 1.1 Winter
  - 1.1.1 Major Snowfalls
2 Regions
3 References
4 See Also

[edit] Seasons

[edit] Winter

In winter major winds include the cool Pampero blowing on the flat plains of Patagonia and the Pampas after a cold front; a warm wind that can blow from the north in mid and late winter creating mild conditions; and the Zonda, a hot and dry wind (see also foehn wind), affecting west-central Argentina. Squeezed of all moisture during the 6,000 meter descent from the Andes, Zonda winds can blow for hours with gusts up to 120 km/h, fueling wildfires and causing damage. When the Zonda blows (June-November), snowstorms and blizzard conditions usually affect the higher elevations.

[edit] Major Snowfalls

Main article: July 2007 Argentine winterstorm

An interaction with an area of low pressure systems across Argentina during the July 6, July 7 and 8 of 2007, and the entry of a massive polar cold snap made as a result the worst winter of Argentina in almost thirty years, where severe snowfalls and blizzards affected the country. The cold snap advanced from the south towards the central zone of the country during Friday, July 6, continuing its displacement towards the north during Saturday, July 7 and Sunday, July 8. On Monday July 9, the simultaneous presence of very cold air, above the average levels of the atmosphere as in the surface, gave place to the occurrence of snowfalls even in localities where snow is very slightly frequent. This phenomenon left at least 23 people dead.^[2]^[3]

It was the third time that a phenomenon like this happened in the country. The first time was in 1912 and the second one was in 1918, occasion in which even there was major volume of snow.

[edit] Regions

Argentina possesses exceptional natural beauties, for it embraces a very diverse territory of mountains, plains and highlands containing all possible weathers. It has various climatic regions with particular sceneries.

With temperate weather, the Pampas possesses the most productive lands in the country (and one of the best in the world) for agricultural and livestock activities. Its plain is only interrupted by the Tandil and Ventana sierras. It has long and crowded beaches facing the Atlantic Ocean towards the east.

The region of Cuyo has mountainous characteristics (the Aconcagua Mountain rises in the area), with mild and arid weather. However, man's intervention has turned it into an ideal place for wine growing and production by means of irrigation.

The Central sierras of Córdoba and San Luis possess a very benign mild and dry weather, with numerous rivers and manmade water surfaces.

In the Northwest region stands out for its warm weather; with mountains of various colours, the Puna highlands, valleys and ravines, and the characteristic towns and cities of great historical value.

The Mesopotamia has a sub-tropical weather in the northern part and a milder climate in the southern one. It has a very diverse flora and fauna, and its territory contains hillocks, lagoons and marshes, and is crossed by large rivers.

The Patagonia is the most extensive region, with a much colder weather accentuated in the southern part. The west is mostly constituted by a mountainous landscape scored by spectacular woods, lakes and glaciers; it has an arid plain in the centre, and long beaches with varied marine fauna to observe to the east. The south end of this region is the southernmost point in the world except for Antarctica.