Climate of Paraguay
The climate of Paraguay consists of a subtropical climate in the Paranaense region, and tropical and semi-arid climates in the Chaco. The Paranaense region has a humid climate, with abundant rainfall throughout the year and only moderate seasonal changes in temperature.
The seasons in Paraguay are opposite to those in the northern hemisphere, meaning northern summer is Paraguayan winter, and vice versa.
During summer, the dominant influence on the climate is the warm sirocco winds blowing out of the northeast.
During the winter, the dominant wind is the cold pampero from the South Atlantic, which blows across Argentina and is deflected northeastward by the Andes in the southern part of that country. Because of the lack of topographic barriers within Paraguay, these opposite prevailing winds bring about abrupt and irregular changes in the usually moderate weather. Winds are generally brisk. Velocities of have been reported in southern locations, and the town of Encarnación was once leveled by a tornado.
Paranaense region
Winter
During July, the coldest month of the subtropical winter in the Southern Hemisphere, temperature averages about in Asunción and slightly cooler on the Paraná Plateau. Temperature varies only insignificantly with latitude. The number of days with temperatures falling below freezing ranges from as few as 3 to as many as 16 yearly, and with even wider variations deep in the interior. Some very mild winters with winds blowing constantly from the north feature little frost.During a cold winter, however, tongues of Antarctic air bring subfreezing temperatures to all areas. No part of the Paranaense region is entirely free from risk of frost and consequent damage to crops, and various locations report snow flurries occasionally.
Summer
Moist tropical air keeps the weather warm in the Paranaense region from October through March. In Asunción the temperature averages about during January, the warmest month.During the summer, daytime temperatures fairly commonly reach. Frequent waves of cool air from the south, however, cause weather that alternates between clear, humid conditions and storms.
Precipitation
Fairly evenly distributed rain falls in the Paranaense region. Although local meteorological conditions play a contributing role, rain usually falls in dominant tropical air masses. The least rain falls in August, when averages in various parts of the region range from to. The two periods of maximum precipitation are March through May and October to November.For the region as a whole, the difference between the driest and the wettest months ranges from to. The annual average rainfall is, although the average on the Paraná Plateau is to greater. All subregions may experience considerable variations from year to year. Asunción has recorded from as little as total annual rainfall to as much as total annual rainfall. Puerto Bertoni on the Paraná Plateau has recorded as little as to as much as total annual rainfall.