Climate in Rio Gallegos (Argentina)

The climate of Río Gallegos is temperate arid (according to the Köppen classification, cold semi-arid or steppe climate - BSk), with cold winters and cool summers.
The city is located in southern Argentina, at 51 degrees south latitude, in the province of Santa Cruz, on the estuary of the Gallego River, which gives the city its name. We are 60 km (37 mi) away from the southern border with Chile (although further south, there is the eastern part of the island of Tierra del Fuego, which also belongs to Argentina).
The rains are not abundant, but are well distributed throughout the year.
The wind blows frequently, increasing the feeling of cold. The gusts can exceed 100 kmph (62 mph) even in summer. At night it gets often cold even in summer.
In winter, from June to August, there may be cold spells, in which the temperature can drop to about -15 °C (5 °F). The coldest record is -20.2 °C (-4.4 °F) and was set in July 1982. Sometimes it can even snow.
The summer, from December to February, is mild, with cool nights, and sometimes cold. The lowest records are below freezing even in this season.
Sometimes there may be short warm periodos, although the temperature rarely exceeds 30 °C (86 °F). However, the highest record is 35.8 °C (96.4 °F), set in February 2019.

Best Time

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The best time to visit Río Gallegos is summer, from December to February, as it is the mildest of the year. It must be said that it can sometimes get cold even in this season.

Rio Gallegos - Climate data

In Rio Gallegos, the average temperature of the coldest month (July) is of 1.4 °C (34.5 °F), that of the warmest month (January) is of 13.7 °C (56.7 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 275 millimeters (10.8 inches) per year: it is therefore scarce. It ranges from 14.5 mm (0.6 in) in the driest month (October) to 32.2 mm (1.3 in) in the wettest one (December). Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 5 °C (41 °F) in August, September to 11.5 °C (53 °F) in February. Here are the average sea temperatures.
There are on average around 2065 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Rio Gallegos - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the warmest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.7 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 7.4 °C (45.3 °F) and a maximum of 20 °C (68 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.7 °C (30.7 °F) in January 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 30.4 °C (86.7 °F) in January 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 26.9 mm (1.1 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 50%.
The average wind speed is 27 kph (17 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (51.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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February is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.2 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 6.9 °C (44.4 °F) and a maximum of 19.5 °C (67.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.5 °C (25.7 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (82 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 29.5 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 54%.
The average wind speed is 25 kph (16 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.2 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 5.4 °C (41.7 °F) and a maximum of 17.1 °C (62.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -6 °C (21.2 °F) in March 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in March 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 28.6 mm (1.1 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 23 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (51.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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April is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 8 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 2.7 °C (36.9 °F) and a maximum of 13.4 °C (56.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (25 °F). However, it dropped to -7.8 °C (18 °F) in April 2016.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (69.5 °F). However, it reached 28.2 °C (82.8 °F) in April 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 24.6 mm (1 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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May is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.5 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 0.2 °C (32.4 °F) and a maximum of 8.8 °C (47.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (19.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10.2 °C (13.6 °F) in May 2008.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15 °C (59.5 °F). However, it reached 19.4 °C (66.9 °F) in May 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 24.3 mm (1 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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June is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 1.6 °C (35 °F), with a minimum of -2.1 °C (28.2 °F) and a maximum of 5.2 °C (41.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -10 °C (14.5 °F). However, it dropped to -17 °C (1.4 °F) in June 2005.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it reached 17 °C (62.6 °F) in June 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 20.9 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are short. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7.5 °C (45 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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July, the coldest month of the year, is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 1.4 °C (35 °F), with a minimum of -2.3 °C (27.9 °F) and a maximum of 5.1 °C (41.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -9.5 °C (14.5 °F). However, it dropped to -17 °C (1.4 °F) in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it reached 16.1 °C (61 °F) in July 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 19.8 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6 °C (43 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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August is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 3.4 °C (38 °F), with a minimum of -0.8 °C (30.6 °F) and a maximum of 7.5 °C (45.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12.7 °C (9.1 °F) in August 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it reached 19 °C (66.2 °F) in August 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 18.7 mm (0.7 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5 °C (41.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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September is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 6.1 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 0.8 °C (33.4 °F) and a maximum of 11.3 °C (52.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5 °C (23.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9 °C (15.8 °F) in September 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it reached 22.4 °C (72.3 °F) in September 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 14.6 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5 °C (41 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 8.6 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 2.3 °C (36.1 °F) and a maximum of 14.8 °C (58.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6.8 °C (19.8 °F) in October 2009.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, it reached 25 °C (77 °F) in October 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 14.5 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 54%.
The average wind speed is 25 kph (16 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6 °C (42.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.8 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 4.5 °C (40.1 °F) and a maximum of 17.1 °C (62.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29 °F). However, it dropped to -5.5 °C (22.1 °F) in November 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76 °F). However, it reached 28.5 °C (83.3 °F) in November 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 22 mm (0.9 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 50%.
The average wind speed is 27 kph (17 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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December is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.6 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 6.5 °C (43.7 °F) and a maximum of 18.6 °C (65.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (34 °F). However, it dropped to -2.5 °C (27.5 °F) in December 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (79 °F). However, it reached 30.4 °C (86.7 °F) in December 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 32.2 mm (1.3 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long. December 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 50%.
The average wind speed is 28 kph (17 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9 °C (48.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.