The climate in La Rioja

Many sunny days and few annual rainfalls are the main features of the climate in La Rioja. This makes it one of the favorite places for a holiday within Argentina. Most of the attractions of the province are natural and therefore held outdoors; very few regions could be conditioned by some change in temperature throughout the year.

If we had to classify the type of climate in La Rioja (for most of the territory) you could say that it is semi-arid continental and arid mountain, with very little humidity. All this thanks to the wet winds coming from the south Atlantic anticyclone that, when they reach the province, they do so with little humidity and strong solar radiation, a phenomenon known as heliophany.

In the lowlands of La Rioja, summers are usually very hot and winters short with moderate temperatures. Rainfall usually does not exceed 400 mm per year, except in some mountainous areas where they may be more abundant. Although the territory has a very varied conformation and in the same way has different climatic conditions, the constant feature is aridity.

SIERRAS REGION (LA RIOJA, CHILECITO)

Being more specific, in the mountains region the climate is warm. Winters are warm with an average temperature of 12°C and hot but not humid summers with average temperatures of 25°C. However, seasonal extreme temperatures are occasionally reached: 7°C minimum and 43°C maximum.

Moreover, the sun is very intense and the air is usually dry. In this sense, the thermal amplitudes during the day are considerable, being able to reach 20°C in the winter.

Meanwhile, the average rainfall is around 350 mm, of which 80% are concentrated in the summer months with torrential rains, a fact that you should take into account if you want to travel to La Rioja during this season.

After the above, it is important to remind you that summer coincides with school holidays. We’re talking about one of the highest seasons in this province. To give you a better reference, you can consult our article about the seasons in La Rioja.

Another key element that participates in the shaping of the climate in La Rioja is the famous Zonda wind, which is dry, hot and can generally be experienced during the spring. Swirls are also common in sands.

CLIMATE IN CORDILLERA REGION (VILLA UNIÓN)

On the other hand, we have the Andes Mountains area, another of the most important regions of La Rioja. As expected, due to the altitude of the area, temperatures drop significantly from that of the Sierras region. Winter is intense, but during sunny hours there is important thermal amplitude. It is also common to find snow-capped peaks that are located more than 5500 meters above sea level and rainfall is very scarce throughout the year, though generally concentrated during the summer.

AVERAGE CLIMATE TEMPERATURES IN LA RIOJA

As for the usual temperature in La Rioja, we can tell you that the hottest time, with a maximum daily average temperature of 31°C, is the one that goes from November 1st to February 29th approximately. The minimum is estimated at 22°C.

On the contrary, the coldest season is contemplated from May 15th to August 15th approximately. During these months the average daily maximum temperature is 21°C, but it can drop to 5°C on colder days (usually in July).

As you can see, the climate in La Rioja is very pleasant all year round and accompanies tourists who want to visit this province during all seasons. Of course, there are differences you have to evaluate to travel, looking for the best time for you and your companions. Take advantage and check the excursions you can do in this wonderful destination.

If you need more advice on the subject or want help assembling the itinerary, do not hesitate to contact our travel specialists. For Moebius specialists it will be a real pleasure to help you live the best of the holidays.