Patagonia: Tracking Pumas and Cruising the Fjords

We time our trips for Patagonia's ideal weather, which is from late November through March, when we can enjoy the mildest temperatures and 16 hours of daylight. November (spring) is blessed with wildflowers and March (fall) offers the start of spectacular fall foliage. With its deep southern latitude, you might expect Patagonia's weather to be more "polar" than it really is. In fact, the austral summer temperatures are relatively moderate. During Patagonia's summer months (November through March in the Southern Hemisphere), the thermometer rarely drops below 40°F and will usually reach into the high 60s°F and even low 70s°F during the day. Nevertheless, the weather is radically changeable. Rain, sleet, and snow can occur at any time—perhaps just a few hours before or after sunny skies and 70°F temperatures.

The enormous, unbroken stretches of ocean to the west and south of the tip of South America leave the Patagonian Andes exposed to strong and persistent winds. Winds circling the globe between latitudes of 40s°F and 60s°F have little obstruction when they reach the tip of South America. Experiencing these winds is almost inevitable on any Patagonian journey. For most part, you can expect winds of 9 to 13 miles per hour, but they can occasionally gust much higher, quickly "cooling down" an otherwise pleasant day.

There's a saying that in Patagonia that you can experience all four seasons in one day, so be prepared for quickly changing weather. The best defense is proper clothing and layering, and our Pre-Departure Booklet has a detailed list of recommendations for layering.