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) | |||||||||||||
Read more about this topic: Punta Arenas
Famous quotes containing the word climate:
“A positive learning climate in a school for young children is a composite of many things. It is an attitude that respects children. It is a place where children receive guidance and encouragement from the responsible adults around them. It is an environment where children can experiment and try out new ideas without fear of failure. It is an atmosphere that builds children’s self-confidence so they dare to take risks. It is an environment that nurtures a love of learning.”
—Carol B. Hillman (20th century)
“When we consider how much climate contributes to the happiness of our condition, by the fine sensation it excites, and the productions it is the parent of, we have reason to value highly the accident of birth in such a one as that of Virginia.”
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)
“Certainly parents play a crucial role in the lives of individuals who are intellectually gifted or creatively talented. But this role is not one of active instruction, of teaching children skills,... rather, it is support and encouragement parents give children and the intellectual climate that they create in the home which seem to be the critical factors.”
—David Elkind (20th century)