Climate and Weather of Argentina
The climate in Argentina is remarkably diverse. The country stretches from north to south over a length of no less than 3,700 kilometers (2299 miles). This is the same distance as between Stockholm in Sweden and Seville in Spain. Also the vast differences in location relative to the equator, elevation differences and variations in landscape mean that Argentina has multiple climate zones.The Andean and southern Patagonian regions have temperate climates with highland conditions at the highest peaks, this includes areas with perpetual snow. The east has a mix of climates, with the north being subtropical, experiencing dry winters and wet summers (December to March). Most parts of Argentina however have relatively dry desert and steppe climates.
Rainfall
The southwest and west of the country are dry, with average precipitation amounts ranging from 200 mm to 400 mm per year. In the south and in the Andes mountains, this can fall as snow. Tierra del Fuego, in the extreme south, has a distinctly wetter character with an average of 400 mm to 800 mm of precipitation per year, as does the extreme west of Patagonia.
As you head northeast from central Argentina, you see precipitation amounts increase significantly. The subtropical northeast, along the border areas with Brazil has nearly 2000 mm of precipitation. This is much wetter than the rest of the country. These amounts of precipitation, combined with higher temperatures, creates a totally different lush landscape.
Not only are the amounts of precipitation very different in Argentina, but the distribution of rainfall per month can vary considerably from region to region. In the northwest the winter months are almost completely dry, the number of days with rain can be counted on one hand. In summer, however, large amounts of rain fall, with the wettest months being January and February. The dry areas of central Argentina have an almost equal amount of rain per month.
Temperatures
The Andes and Patagonia are generally cool in summer and very cold in winter, varying according to altitude. Extreme temperature shifts within a single day are common here. Take note that seasons in Argentina are reversed from those in the Northern Hemisphere. This means summer takes place from December till February. The difference between the seasons in terms of temperature is greater the further south you go.
During the day temperatures in January vary from cool in Los Glaciares National Park at 9°C to very warm in Santiago del Estero at 34°C. At night it cools down to 21°C in Santiago del Estero and 3°C in Los Glaciares National Park. In Argentina, January typically stands out as the hottest month of the year.
The average maximum daytime temperatures in July vary from very cold in Los Penitentes at -7°C to warm in Tartagal at 23°C. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 9°C in Tartagal and -12°C in Los Penitentes. In general, this month stands out as the coldest period throughout the year. However, even though July is the coolest month, you can still find places in Argentina with moderate temperatures, ensuring a pleasant experience throughout the year.
Wind patterns
Argentina experiences a unique wind phenomenon known as the Zonda wind. This hot, dry wind descends from the Andes mountains, primarily affecting the western and central parts of the country. The Zonda can cause rapid temperature increases of up to 20°C in a matter of hours, significantly impacting local weather conditions and sometimes causing damage to agriculture.
Conclusion
It is virtually impossible to pinpoint one travel period as the best time to travel to Argentina. This South American country is so enormously diverse in terms of weather and climate that the best travel times vary by region. Most travelers choose December through March as the travel period to visit Argentina. Since November is also great in many places within the country, we would say November through March is the best travel time for Argentina.
For more detailed information on what to expect each month, please visit our month-specific pages.
Are you interested in more detailed information for various cities in Argentina?
Please select the city you plan to visit, or one closest to your destination. For each selected city, you will see the following graphs:
1. Yearly average minimum and maximum temperatures
2. Monthly averages of precipitation throughout the year (rainfall, snow etc)
3. Monthly average hours of sunshine throughout the year
Additionally, some pages provide historical weather data such as humidity, wind speed, and water temperature.