South America’s Highest & Lowest Temperatures Map

Map by Maps Interlude

The map below shows the highest and lowest temperatures recorded in each country of South America.

South America’s vast territory spans from the tropical regions near the equator to the subantarctic zones in the south, creating one of the most diverse climate ranges on Earth. This continental diversity has produced some truly extreme temperature records that showcase the remarkable weather variations across the continent.

The Continental Records: Argentina’s Extremes

The highest temperature ever recorded in South America reached a blistering 48.9°C (120°F) in Rivadavia, Argentina, on December 11, 1905. Located in the northern province of Salta, this small town sits in Argentina’s desert region where the combination of low elevation and continental climate creates perfect conditions for extreme heat.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Argentina also holds the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded in South America. On June 1, 1907, the temperature plummeted to -32.8°C (-27°F) in Sarmiento, located in the Chubut province of Patagonia.

What makes these records particularly fascinating is that both extremes occur in the same country, highlighting Argentina’s remarkable climatic diversity from its subtropical north to its subantarctic south.

Brazil: Tropical Heat & Highland Surprises

As South America’s largest country, Brazil experiences significant temperature variations across its vast territory. The highest temperature recorded in Brazil reached 44.8°C (112.6°F) in Bom Jesus, Piauí, in November 2005. This scorching heat occurred in Brazil’s semi-arid Caatinga region, where drought conditions and continental influences can push temperatures to extreme levels.

Surprisingly, Brazil has also recorded some notably cold temperatures, particularly in its southern highlands. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Brazil was -14°C (7°F) in Caçador, Santa Catarina, on June 11, 1952. This frigid reading occurred during a particularly severe cold snap that brought Antarctic air masses far north into Brazil’s southern plateau region.

Chile: Desert Heat & Andean Cold

Chile’s unique geography, stretching over 4,300 kilometers from north to south, creates dramatic temperature contrasts. The country’s highest temperature of 44.9°C (113°F) was recorded in Calama, located in the Atacama Desert region. This scorching temperature reflects the extreme aridity and continental conditions of one of the world’s driest deserts.

Chile’s coldest temperature reading comes from its far south, where -37°C (-34.6°F) was recorded in the Magallanes region. The extreme southern location, combined with the influence of Antarctic weather systems, creates conditions for these bone-chilling temperatures during the austral winter.

Other Notable National Records

Colombia, despite its primarily tropical location, has recorded temperatures as high as 42°C (107.6°F) in its Caribbean coastal regions and as low as -5°C (23°F) in the high Andes mountains, demonstrating how elevation can create dramatic temperature variations even near the equator.

Peru has experienced temperatures reaching 40°C (104°F) in its coastal desert regions while recording lows of -25°C (-13°F) in the high Andes, showcasing the dramatic effects of both the Humboldt Current and extreme elevation changes.

Venezuela has recorded highs of 42°C (107.6°F) in its Llanos plains region, while its lowest temperature of -2°C (28.4°F) was measured in the high peaks of the Andes mountains.

Bolivia, with its high-altitude location, experiences more moderate temperature ranges but has recorded extremes from 47°C (116.6°F) in lowland areas to -25°C (-13°F) in highland regions.

Geographic Patterns & Climate Influences

These temperature records reveal several key patterns across South America.

The highest temperatures typically occur in desert or semi-arid regions away from oceanic influences, such as Argentina’s northwest, Chile’s Atacama Desert, and Brazil’s Caatinga region.

Meanwhile, the lowest temperatures are found either in Patagonia, where Antarctic influences are strongest, or at high elevations in the Andes Mountains.

The Andes play a crucial role in South America’s temperature extremes, creating rain shadows that intensify heat in some areas while providing high-altitude locations where temperatures can plummet well below freezing even in tropical latitudes.

Climate Diversity Across The Continent

South America’s temperature extremes demonstrate the continent’s incredible climatic diversity. From the Amazon’s stable tropical conditions to Patagonia’s temperate and subpolar climates, and from the Atacama’s extreme aridity to the Andes’ alpine conditions, this continent encompasses nearly every climate zone found on Earth.

These extreme temperature records serve as important benchmarks for understanding regional climate patterns and help meteorologists track long-term weather trends across this remarkably diverse continent. The fact that many of these records span over a century of observations underscores their significance in documenting South America’s climatic extremes.

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