Geography and Climate
The province has low sierras in the north along the Dry Pampas, and another such system on the west with the Guayaguas, Cantanal, Quijadas and Alto Pencoso Sierras, typical of the Cuyo region.
On the central and southern part of the province predominate flatlands, and the Pampa de las Salinas great salt lake at the centre depression.
Even though the weather of the province is temperate-arid, there are numerous areas with milder microclimates, such as Villa de Merlo, where the land is fertile and the air less dry as the eastern slope retains the humidity of the Atlantic Ocean.
Generally speaking, the southeast of the province around Villa Mercedes is the most suited for agriculture, with a temperate Pampas climate that brings hot summers (highs of 30°C or 86F, lows of 16°C or 61F) with frequent thunderstorms, and extremely dry winters with a large thermal amplitude (highs are 17°C, or 63F, and average lows are 1°C, or 34F). Temperatures have reached values below -14°C (7F) and snow falls sporadically, but in small quantities. Precipitation is about 700 mm (27 in) in the wettest spots and drought is possible. The southern end of the province is markedly dryer, and rainfall is unpredictable, falling often in the form of severe thunderstorms with hail. Rainfall ranges from 350 mm to 550 mm (14 in to 21 in). The northwest has significantly hotter summer days because of intense solar radiation, with average highs of 33°C (91F) or more. A special micro-climate exists around the sierras, with mild summer days with very comfortable nights (28°C during the day, 14°C at night, or 82F and 57F), and very sunny winters with highs around 15°C (59F) and lows around 3°C (37F). At higher elevations, snow falls frequently but usually in small quantities due to the winter drought. In the rest of the province, snow falls only on occasion.
The main rivers of the provinces are the Conlara and Quinto, and the border rivers of Desaguadero River and Salado River.
Read more about this topic: San Luis Province
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