Weather & Climate in El Chaltén, Argentina
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
El Chaltén has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 33°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. Annual precipitation totals 34.7 inches. The area receives 9.6 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 1,316 feet.
Temperature
50°F Jan (10°C)
33°F Jul (0°C)
| Annual Average | 41.4°F |
| 23% below US avg | |
| January Average | 50°F (10°C) |
| July Average | 33°F (0°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,316 ft (401 m) |
| Area | 8.8 sq mi (22.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 211/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 49.3299°S, 72.8861°W |
| Timezone | America/Argentina/Rio_Gallegos |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.5.
| Jul 30, 1992 | 13 km E of El Calafate, Argentina | M5.5 | 128 km | 10 km |
| Jan 25, 1992 | 12 km SE of El Calafate, Argentina | M5.1 | 132 km | 33 km |
| Aug 31, 2004 | 32 km S of El Calafate, Argentina | M4.7 | 150 km | 19 km |
| Jan 19, 2025 | 26 km SE of El Calafate, Argentina | M4.4 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Apr 9, 1999 | 14 km SSE of El Calafate, Argentina | M4.3 | 135 km | 33 km |
| Jun 10, 2015 | 31 km S of El Calafate, Argentina | M4.2 | 150 km | 17 km |
| Nov 4, 1995 | 172 km WNW of El Calafate, Argentina | M4.2 | 138 km | 33 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 2.0 m (7 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2013 | LAGO ARGENTINO | Meteorological | 2.0 m | - | 76 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Aguilera (127 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Aguilera | Stratovolcano | 2,546 m (8,353 ft) | -1250 | 127 km |
| Reclus | Pyroclastic cone | 1,000 m (3,281 ft) | 1908 | 188 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 50°F (10°C) | 2.5 in | Warmest |
| February | 49°F (10°C) | 2.8 in | |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 3.1 in | |
| April | 42°F (6°C) | 3.8 in | Wettest |
| May | 36°F (2°C) | 3.5 in | |
| June | 33°F (0°C) | 3.6 in | |
| July | 33°F (0°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| August | 33°F (1°C) | 2.8 in | |
| September | 37°F (3°C) | 2.2 in | Driest |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 2.8 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 2.3 in | |
| December | 48°F (9°C) | 2.3 in |
El Chaltén has a seasonal temperature swing of 18°F / from 33°F in July to 50°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 34.7 inches, with April being the wettest month (3.8") and September the driest (2.2").