Chilean Climate

Chilean Climate

North

Both the Big North and Small North are characterized by it's dry climate combined with high temperature degrees. Within the Big North there's the Atacama Desert, a land wihere there is very scarce rainfall. The powerful solar radiation in addition to infrared heat radiation emitted from the surface by night help to explain the strong temperature contrast between day and night.
There are, however, marginal desert areas where rain falls during winter and coastal shores are overcasted. Anual average temperature is 62.6°F. (17°C.)

Central Valley

The Central Valley rejoices itself with a priviledged mediterranean climate, a mild blend between a dry and pluvial weather character. This region has a rainy season (from May to August) and a dry, longer season from September to April. Rainfall is associated with the passing of weather sistems moving along the Pacific Coast. Moisture and rainfall amounts progressively increase towards the South up to the point that, from Valdivia onwards, dry seasons become almost non-existent.

South

The South covers the Araucanía and Volcanoes area and the northern section of Lakes District and Chiloe Island
Climate in these lands differ from a mediterranean one in that there is not dry season, although there is significant less rainfall during summer. Moreover, abundant precipitations (near 1000 mm. per year) have led to the creation of an spectacular evergreen landscape with rich native forests, volcanoes covered with pure white snow, and deep-blue mountain lakes and lagoons.

The Far South

From Southern Puerto Montt along the coastal shore till the end of the Chilean land, area covering the Northern and Southern Patagonia, the climate is extremely humid and precpitacions border, and sometimes even exceed, 2.000mm. per year. The high frequency pattern of weather systems crossing the region helps to explain a large number of overcast days (between 20 to 25 days per month).
The ocean helps to moderate temperatures which are higher during winter and lower in summer, in contrast with inland continental regions.

Weather Forecast

Want to know this week's weather forecast? Check it out at: Meteorologic Directorate, Goverment of Chile (Dirección Meteoróligica Chile)

You can also check on weather forecasts for cities:

UV Radiation

• Try to reduce hours of exposure under the sun when the radiation is strongest. That is, from 12:00 to 14:00 local time.
• Never use artificial tanning products that involve the use of radiation. For example, sunlamps.
• Be aware of children, avoiding they skin turns reddish. There's evidence that some cancer diseases are more related to the amount of radiation absorbed during childhood than during adulthood.
• During periods of strong radiation, use sunglasses and caps. Also cover exposed parts of the body with clothes, shirts or use a sunscreen.
• You need to consider that sunscreens, though they help to avoid sunburns and other UV Radiation harmful effects, they don't turn you invulnerable towards the threat of cancer due high and cummulative sunlight exposure. This is why it is not advisable to spend too much time under sunlight, no matter how much sunscreen you use.
• Your eyes are also sensitive to sunlight. So, in order to avoid any harm, wear sunglasses that aborb UV-B Radiation.