Chilean Patagonia experiences less severe weather conditions than one might think, with the east featuring a slightly warmer climate than the west. Temperatures vary greatly depending on where exactly you are. In the extreme south of Chilean Patagonia the weather is moderated by its proximity to the ocean and only slight seasonal variety is experienced. The months of April and May are the wettest, with reliable snowfall from June through September. The depletion of the ozone layer over the South Pole is a growing concern and is thought to be the reason for an increase in blindness and skin cancer in sheep in Tierra del Fuego. Travellers visiting Chilean Patagonia are therefore advised to bring plenty of sunscreen, regardless of the time of year, and to apply it liberally even if it doesn't feel hot. As it is often wet and windy, it is also a good idea to come prepared with waterproof gear no matter what the season.The overwhelming consensus is that the best time of year to visit Patagonia is in the warmer summer months, between December and February, when average temperatures range comfortably between 50°F (10°C) and 64°F (18°C) in northern Patagonia.
