South America - The Climate

The climate of South America varies widely over a large range of altitudes and latitudes, but only in isolated regions is the temperature range greater than about 20°C (36°F). The coldest part of the continent is in the extreme southern tip, in the area called Tierra del Fuego; in the coldest month of the year, which is July, it is as cold as 0°C (32°F) there. The highest temperature of the continent is reached in a small area of northern Argentina, and is about 42°C (108°F). However, less than 15 days a year are this warm, and the average temperature in the same area for the hottest month of the year, which is January, is about 29°C (84°F).