Added: 03/06/2006 |
There Is No Single Peru Weather!Peru is the country of the multiple layers of great civilizations that make it extremely intriguing and captivating. With an area of 1,285,215 square km, Peru is the third largest country in South America after Brazil and Argentina, ranking it amongst the world's 20 largest nations.
This country can engross you in the wonderful world of the Spanish conquistadors, the ancient Inca culture, the lost city of Machu Picchu, and the enigma of the Nazca Lines. Except these, Peru can surprise you with the great variety of weather conditions that have a tendency to change throughout the country. And, of course, the question of "How is it possible to have all these different 'weathers' in one country?" is obvious. The answer lies in the geographical position of Peru.
There is no single climate in Peru, because they are influenced by nature. Peru is located in the equatorial area of South America, but its climate does not correspond to its geographical location for two fundamental factors, the Andean Mountain Range and the cold marine current of Humboldt, also called Peruvian current.
The Peruvian year is the same as in Europe - having four seasons - but the European summer and Peruvian one are the different. Peruvian seasons are:
•Summer: December 22nd to March 21st
•Autumn: March 22nd to June 21st
•Winter: June 22nd to September 22nd
•Spring: September 23rd to December 21st
February and March are quite fairly good everywhere. The rainy season is June-September in Lima (capital of Peru) - humidity can be as high as 98% during this time. In the mountains, the period of rains is November - March. North and east highlands are subjected to heavy rains from October to April. The Amazon jungle is always hot and humid. One more surprise for tourists and visitors, isn't it?
The Peruvian current and the geographical relief of Peru stipulate Peru weather and climate. Peru weather changes considerably from west to east. The whole territory of Peru can be divided into three big areas: the coast, the Andean area or mountain, and the Amazon area or jungle, each one with the corresponding particular climate characteristics.
The Andes break the country into two parts: the desert Coast and the Amazon jungle. The Andes act as a natural barrier between the two, and creates a separate region by itself. Winds from the jungle are unable to reach the coast, keeping it dry. The Andean area, also known as sierra or mountain, has, in general, a cold and dry climate, but in the north area the rains are more intense. The Andean rain causes severe landslides.
The Humboldt is a cold current that comes from the southern seas. In the north of Peru it mixes with the warm current, called "El Nino," creating a variety of temperatures and conditions. Peru weather on the Coast is generally temperate and dry, warm in the north, a little colder to the center and south. The rains are infrequent, with the exception of the north area where strong rains are in the summer months.
The Amazon area, or jungle, has a tropical weather; hot, humid, and rainy, especially in the summer, which is full of torrential rains. In this rainy season, flooding is common in low areas.
Peru weather and climatic conditions must be taken into consideration when traveling this wonderful and extraordinary country.
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