Generally, Patagonia weather is dominated by two
factors. The first is the strong and highly predominant westerly
wind and the second is the Andes, as they build a barrier to the
west winds and the moisture these winds carry, in a manner comparable
to the Rocky Mountains in North America but on a much bigger scale.
This is mainly due to the Antarctic influence, also called the "Antarctic
accent”.
The Rain Forest
The Transition Area
The Dry Pampas
Going through Patagonia from west to east, it can be observed
that over a distance of only 60 miles the precipitation regime changes
from fully temperate Patagonian Rainforest (200
inches of rainfall annually) to semi-arid Patagonian Steppe
(20 inches of rainfall annually), due to the effect of the
Andes barrier, as shown in the figure below.
This is of most importance for our fly fishing operation. Coyhaique
is located in the transition zone, which allows us to move between
the rainforest and the steppe in less than one hour, giving us many
choices depending on weather conditions. For example, if it's too
windy we can go toward the Andes, into the rain forest where there
is usually little wind, and if it's raining hard we can fish the
spring creeks on the steppe.
As you can see Patagonia weather patterns
are amazingly complex, and so it's virtually impossible
to answer the common question "When can you expect
the best weather?" Throughout our fishing season the
temperature can range from 40 to 90 F, with winds from 0
to 50 miles per hour. It could be cold and wet or hot and
sunny, so it's best come prepared for any conditions. We
will provide you with all the information on what to bring,
once you book with us
Other Important facts about Patagonia Weather
Due to high annual precipitation in the form of snow
over 3000 feet, many glaciers of the Patagonian Ice fields
on the west side calve into the Pacific at the same latitude
as Vancouver, Canada.
In Patagonia there are only small seasonal changes in
the temperature regime in contrast to the same latitude
in the northern hemisphere, but "all the seasons
can be observed in a single day".
Western Patagonia is thought of as the region with the
most precipitation outside the Tropics. In 300 to 320 days
of the year there is precipitation and there is not a single
month for which official records are available with more
than 6 days without precipitation.
Where do fish keep their money?
In the river bank.
