The climate of Río Grande is
subpolar oceanic (according to the Köppen classification, subarctic climate - Dfc), with cold winters and very cool summers.
The city is located in southern Patagonia, at 53 degrees south latitude (the same as in the north of the Netherlands and of Germany), in the eastern part of the
Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, that is, the one that belongs to Argentina.
The rains are frequent all year round, although they are not abundant.
The
wind blows frequently, increasing the feeling of cold. The gusts can reach 100 kmph (62 mph) even in summer. At night it gets often cold even in summer.
In
winter, from June to August, fog can sometimes form.
Snowfalls generally occur from April to November, however, if we exclude some very cold periods from June to August, the temperature generally exceeds freezing during the day, so the snow, even if it had accumulated, melts quite soon.
However, Río Grande is colder than Ushuaia, as there is a plain behind it where cold air can sometimes stagnate. Therefore, sometimes there can be short periods of freezing cold. The record is -22.4 °C (-8.3 °F) and was set in July 1984.
The
summer, from December to February, is very cool, 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 25 °C (77 °F). Furthermore, since the sea is very cold even in summer, the temperature drops a lot in the evening due to the breeze. The highest record is 30.8 °C (87.4 °F) and was set in February 2019.
Best Time
The best time to visit Río Grande is summer, from December to February, as it is the mildest of the year. It must be said that the sun does not shine very often, and that it can sometimes get cold even in this season.
Rio Grande - Climate data
The
average temperature of the coldest month (July) is of 0.1 °C (32.2 °F), that of the warmest month (January) is of 11.0 °C (51.7 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Rio Grande - Average temperatures (1991-2020) Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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January | 5.9 | 16 | 11 | 43 | 61 | 51.7 |
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February | 5.5 | 15.7 | 10.6 | 42 | 60 | 51.1 |
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March | 4.1 | 13.6 | 8.8 | 39 | 56 | 47.9 |
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April | 1.8 | 10.6 | 6.2 | 35 | 51 | 43.2 |
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May | -0.5 | 6.8 | 3.2 | 31 | 44 | 37.7 |
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June | -2.8 | 3.4 | 0.3 | 27 | 38 | 32.5 |
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July | -3 | 3.2 | 0.1 | 27 | 38 | 32.2 |
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August | -1.4 | 5.4 | 2 | 29 | 42 | 35.6 |
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September | -0.1 | 8.2 | 4 | 32 | 47 | 39.3 |
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October | 1.6 | 11.4 | 6.5 | 35 | 53 | 43.7 |
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November | 3.5 | 13.4 | 8.4 | 38 | 56 | 47.2 |
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December | 4.9 | 14.9 | 9.9 | 41 | 59 | 49.8 |
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Year | 1.6 | 10.2 | 5.9 | 34.9 | 50.3 | 42.5 |
---|
Precipitation amounts to 325 millimeters (12.8 inches) per year: it is therefore scarce. It ranges from 16 mm (0.6 in) in the driest month (October) to 38 mm (1.5 in) in the wettest one (December). Here is the average precipitation.
Rio Grande - Average precipitationMonth | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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January | 37 | 1.5 | 7 |
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February | 31 | 1.2 | 6 |
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March | 29 | 1.1 | 6 |
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April | 30 | 1.2 | 6 |
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May | 29 | 1.1 | 6 |
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June | 26 | 1 | 5 |
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July | 26 | 1 | 6 |
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August | 22 | 0.9 | 5 |
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September | 18 | 0.7 | 5 |
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October | 16 | 0.6 | 4 |
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November | 24 | 0.9 | 5 |
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December | 38 | 1.5 | 8 |
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Year | 325 | 12.8 | 69 |
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The
sea temperature ranges from 3 °C (37 °F) in August to 10.5 °C (51 °F) in February. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Rio Grande - Sea temperatureMonth | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 10 | 50 | February | 10.5 | 51 | March | 10 | 50 | April | 8.5 | 48 | May | 7 | 44 | June | 5 | 41 | July | 3.5 | 38 | August | 3 | 37 | September | 3.5 | 38 | October | 5 | 41 | November | 6.5 | 44 | December | 9 | 48 | Year | 6.8 | 44.2 |
There are on average around 1695
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Rio Grande - Sunshine hoursMonth | Average | Total |
---|
January | 6.5 | 200 | February | 5.5 | 160 | March | 4.5 | 140 | April | 4 | 115 | May | 3 | 95 | June | 2.5 | 70 | July | 2.5 | 85 | August | 3.5 | 110 | September | 4.5 | 135 | October | 6 | 180 | November | 6.5 | 200 | December | 6.5 | 200 | Year | 4.6 | 1695 |
Rio Grande - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the warmest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.0 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 5.9 °C (42.6 °F) and a maximum of 16 °C (60.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1 °C (30.2 °F) in January 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in January 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 37 mm (1.5 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 30 kph (19 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10 °C (50 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
February is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.6 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 5.5 °C (41.9 °F) and a maximum of 15.7 °C (60.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (31.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in February 2019.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it reached 30.8 °C (87.4 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 31 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 28 kph (17 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10.5 °C (51.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 8.8 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 4.1 °C (39.4 °F) and a maximum of 13.6 °C (56.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7 °C (19.4 °F) in March 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (67.5 °F). However, it reached 24 °C (75.2 °F) in March 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 29 mm (1.1 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 26 kph (16 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10 °C (50.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
April is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 6.2 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 1.8 °C (35.2 °F) and a maximum of 10.6 °C (51.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (23.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8 °C (17.6 °F) in April 2020.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it reached 23 °C (73.4 °F) in April 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 23 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
May is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 3.2 °C (38 °F), with a minimum of -0.5 °C (31.1 °F) and a maximum of 6.8 °C (44.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (19 °F). However, it dropped to -11 °C (12.2 °F) in May 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it reached 15 °C (59 °F) in May 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 29 mm (1.1 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (44 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
June is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 0.3 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -2.8 °C (27 °F) and a maximum of 3.4 °C (38.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -10 °C (13.5 °F). However, it dropped to -16 °C (3.2 °F) in June 2020.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 8 °C (47 °F). However, it reached 14 °C (57.2 °F) in June 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 26 mm (1 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 30 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 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 32% of the time.
The average humidity is 89%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5 °C (41 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
July, the coldest month of the year, is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 0.1 °C (32 °F), with a minimum of -3 °C (26.6 °F) and a maximum of 3.2 °C (37.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -10 °C (14.5 °F). However, it dropped to -18 °C (-0.4 °F) in July 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 7.5 °C (45 °F). However, it reached 12 °C (53.6 °F) in July 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 26 mm (1 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 34% of the time.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
August is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 2 °C (36 °F), with a minimum of -1.4 °C (29.5 °F) and a maximum of 5.4 °C (41.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (19.5 °F). However, it dropped to -11 °C (12.2 °F) in August 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 10 °C (50 °F). However, it reached 13 °C (55.4 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 22 mm (0.9 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 3 °C (37 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
September is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.0 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of -0.1 °C (31.8 °F) and a maximum of 8.2 °C (46.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5 °C (23 °F). However, it dropped to -8 °C (17.6 °F) in September 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it reached 20 °C (68 °F) in September 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 18 mm (0.7 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 23 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 3.5 °C (38 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
October is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 6.5 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 1.6 °C (34.9 °F) and a maximum of 11.4 °C (52.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (26 °F). However, it dropped to -6 °C (21.2 °F) in October 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it reached 20 °C (68 °F) in October 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 16 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 28 kph (18 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5 °C (40.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
November is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 8.4 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 3.5 °C (38.3 °F) and a maximum of 13.4 °C (56.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in November 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it reached 23 °C (73.4 °F) in November 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 24 mm (0.9 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 31 kph (19 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6.5 °C (44 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
December is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.9 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 4.9 °C (40.8 °F) and a maximum of 14.9 °C (58.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1 °C (30.2 °F) in December 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (68.5 °F). However, it reached 23 °C (73.4 °F) in December 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 38 mm (1.5 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 17 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are very long. December 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 30 kph (19 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9 °C (48 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.