Chile Weather

In Chile the timing of the seasons is opposite to those in the northern hemisphere and because its geography is so diverse its climate varies from region to region. The Humboldt current of the Pacific Ocean, the Chilean Coastal Range and the Andes Mountains are the most important determinants in the weather patterns seen across regions. In general, in most of the country, the seasons roughly run as following: Spring is from October to December, summer from January to March, fall from April to June and winter from July to September.

North

The northern coastal territory is one of the driest regions in the world, it virtually never rains and the mornings are covered in fog all year round. It is a distinctive cold water coast desert with cool temperatures and constant temperature all year round.

Inland in the north east the country bordering Bolivia and Peru, the Andes obstruct the access of clouds and at high altitudes the weather changes dramatically. There are two distinct seasons, rainy and dry. The rainy season is considered autumn and summer and it covers the months from December to April. It is known as invierno boliviano or Bolivian winter. The dry season, spring and summer, covers the months from May to November. In high altitudes the air is clear and dry; sun rays are stronger so sun block cream and sunglasses are a must. This is the best time of the year to visit Northern Chile.

One of the driest regions in the world, the Atacama desert receives 1mm or 0.04 in of rain a year. Once every 5 years a phenomenon occurs when flowers start blooming due to accumulation of humidity on the ground. 

Central Valley

Climate in the center of Chile is typical temperate Mediterranean. Summer is from December to March and is hot and humid, average high temperatures fluctuate from 30°C or 68°F and average low from 12°C or 54°F. Winter is from June to August and the coldest month is July when temperatures can drop as low as 3°C or 37°F. In high elevations temperatures fall even lower with occasional snow. June is the wettest month of the year with average precipitation of 85mm or 3.3in the form of rain, hail or snow, 80% of the yearly precipitation falls in the winter months. Fall season starts at the end of March through May and temperatures during the day can reach the mid 20°C or 68°F, evenings are cooler with temperature reaching a minimum of 7°C or 45°F. Spring starts in September and lasts until November. Temperatures reach a maximum of 29°C or 84°C and a minimum of 12.5°C or 54.5°F.

Wineries and fruit growers are located in the fertile Central Valley of Chile

Santiago Weather

South

As we approach southern Chile, summers become cooler but winters do not become colder except in the far south and Zona Austral near the Antarctic. In Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego summer average temperatures fluctuate from an average high of 59°F or 15°C to an average low of 42.6°F / 5.9°C, the warmest month is January. Days are longer and sometimes it does not get dark until close to midnight. This season is also windy and rainy, winds can reach up to 40km/hr. Late summer or early autumn is the best time to visit the south of Chile as there is less precipitation and days are still long. Winter days are short with only five hours of light in June and July. Temperatures fluctuate from  an average high of 39F or 3.9C to an average low of 29.7F or -1.3C.

Tierra del Fuego National Park

Tierra del Fuego Weather

Related information

What to visit when in Chile

A list of memorable and important places and cultural insights of Chile.

Geography of Chile

The country is shaped like a long and narrow ribbon and is the longest country in the planet.

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