Climate
Punta Arenas has a semi-arid, ocean-moderated climate (Köppen climate classification BSk). The seasonal temperature in Punta Arenas is greatly moderated by its proximity to the ocean, with specifying average lows in July near −1 °C (30 °F) and highs in January of 14 °C (57 °F). This is not to say that it is known for stable constant temperatures, only small variability with season. Rainfall is most plentiful between April and May and snow season goes all through Chilean winter (June till September), although the average temperature does not descend below the 1 °C. Among Chileans the city is also known for its strong winds (up to 130 km/hour). Winds tend to be strongest during the summer when city officials put up ropes in the downtown area to assist with unique wind currents created by the buildings.
Since 1986, Punta Arenas has been the first significantly populated city in the world to be directly affected by the hole in the ozone layer, exposing its residents to potentially damaging levels of ultraviolet radiation.
| Climate data for Punta Arenas, Chile | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 14.7 (58.5) |
14.4 (57.9) |
12.8 (55.0) |
9.8 (49.6) |
6.4 (43.5) |
4.2 (39.6) |
3.7 (38.7) |
5.3 (41.5) |
7.9 (46.2) |
10.6 (51.1) |
12.5 (54.5) |
14.1 (57.4) |
9.7 (49.5) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 10.6 (51.1) |
10.3 (50.5) |
8.9 (48.0) |
6.5 (43.7) |
3.7 (38.7) |
1.8 (35.2) |
1.3 (34.3) |
2.6 (36.7) |
4.5 (40.1) |
6.6 (43.9) |
8.5 (47.3) |
9.9 (49.8) |
6.3 (43.3) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 6.5 (43.7) |
6.2 (43.2) |
5.0 (41.0) |
3.2 (37.8) |
1.0 (33.8) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
−0.1 (31.8) |
1.0 (33.8) |
2.6 (36.7) |
4.4 (39.9) |
5.7 (42.3) |
2.8 (37.0) |
| Rainfall mm (inches) | 38.9 (1.531) |
27.8 (1.094) |
29.6 (1.165) |
36.0 (1.417) |
41.6 (1.638) |
28.2 (1.11) |
30.2 (1.189) |
30.2 (1.189) |
24.2 (0.953) |
28.7 (1.13) |
31.7 (1.248) |
28.6 (1.126) |
375.7 (14.791) |
| % humidity | 74 | 74 | 78 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 83 | 83 | 81 | 75 | 73 | 74 | 78.7 |
| Avg. rainy days | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 148 |
| Source: World Meteorological Organisation (UN) | |||||||||||||
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Famous quotes containing the word climate:
“Then climate is a great impediment to idle persons; we often resolve to give up the care of the weather, but still we regard the clouds and the rain.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“The climate has been described as “ten months winter and two months mighty late in the fall.””
—Administration in the State of Colo, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)