chile climate
Chile offers a wide range of climate, which can be divided into three major climatic regions – Arid in the north, humid in the south and temperate in the valley. Overall, the country enjoys a rather comfortable temperate climate besides the obviously extreme climatic conditions of the Andes and the Atacama. The climate varies depending on the part of the country you visit, and is therefore difficult to generalize. However it can be compared to a Mediterranean climate in the central area, with increasing temperature brackets on the outer most regions. The farther north you travel the hotter and drier the climate, whereas you'll experience a cooler, wetter climate as you head farther south.
Chile differs from most South American countries in the sense that it experiences four distinct seasons: winter (June – August), spring (September- November), summer (December to February), and autumn (March – May). The seasons fall at opposite times from the US because the country lies deep in the southern hemisphere. Rainfall tends to be restricted to the winter months in the north, and stays somewhat consistent throughout the year with periods of heavy precipitation in the south-central areas.
Santiago, home to 80% of Chile’s population is said to behold the most ideal climate. With well defined seasons, the residents get to experience hot summers, short temperate winters; and a fall and spring that brings pleasantly cool breezes. It does occasionally snow in Santiago and other parts of central Chile, but the snow usually melts quickly except in the higher mountains.
Chile differs from most South American countries in the sense that it experiences four distinct seasons: winter (June – August), spring (September- November), summer (December to February), and autumn (March – May). The seasons fall at opposite times from the US because the country lies deep in the southern hemisphere. Rainfall tends to be restricted to the winter months in the north, and stays somewhat consistent throughout the year with periods of heavy precipitation in the south-central areas.
Santiago, home to 80% of Chile’s population is said to behold the most ideal climate. With well defined seasons, the residents get to experience hot summers, short temperate winters; and a fall and spring that brings pleasantly cool breezes. It does occasionally snow in Santiago and other parts of central Chile, but the snow usually melts quickly except in the higher mountains.
| Santiago | ||||||||||||
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Avg. High (°F) | 86 | 84 | 80 | 73 | 64 | 57 | 59 | 62 | 66 | 71 | 78 | 82 |
| Avg. Low (°F) | 55 | 51 | 48 | 44 | 41 | 37 | 39 | 39 | 42 | 44 | 48 | 51 |
| Rainfall (Inches) | .07 | .07 | .15 | .47 | 2.4 | 3.2 | 3.0 | 2.2 | 1.2 | .47 | .35 | .15 |
| Punta Arenas | ||||||||||||
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Avg. High (°F) | 60 | 58 | 56 | 52 | 45 | 41 | 40 | 43 | 47 | 52 | 56 | 58 |
| Avg. Low (°F) | 43 | 42 | 40 | 38 | 34 | 30 | 28 | 31 | 33 | 36 | 40 | 41 |
| Rainfall (Inches) | 1.4 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.2 |
