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Theclimate of Paraguay consists of asubtropical climate in theParanaense region, andtropical andsemi-arid climates in theChaco.^[1] 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 warmsirocco winds blowing out of the northeast.

During the winter, the dominant wind is the coldpampero from the South Atlantic, which blows acrossArgentina and is deflected northeastward by theAndes in the southern part of that country. Because of the lack of topographic barriers within Paraguay, these oppositeprevailing winds bring about abrupt and irregular changes in the usually moderate weather. Winds are generally brisk. Velocities of 160 kilometres per hour (99 mph) have been reported in southern locations, and the town ofEncarnación was once leveled by atornado.

During July, the coldest month of the subtropical winter in theSouthern Hemisphere, temperature averages about 17 °C (63 °F) inAsunción and slightly cooler on theParaná 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.

Moist tropical air keeps the weather warm in the Paranaense region from October through March. In Asunción the temperature averages about 27.96 °C (82.33 °F) during January, the warmest month.

During the summer, daytime temperatures fairly commonly reach 38 °C (100 °F). Frequent waves of cool air from the south, however, cause weather that alternates between clear, humid conditions and storms.

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 100 millimetres (3.9 in) to 200 millimetres (7.9 in). 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 100 millimetres (3.9 in) to 180 millimetres (7.1 in). The annual average rainfall is 1,270 millimetres (50 in), although the average on the Paraná Plateau is 250 millimetres (9.8 in) to 380 millimetres (15 in) greater. All subregions may experience considerable variations from year to year. Asunción has recorded from as little as 793 millimetres (31.2 in) total annual rainfall to as much as 1,518 millimetres (59.8 in) total annual rainfall.Puerto Bertoni on the Paraná Plateau has recorded as little as 790 millimetres (31 in) to as much as 3,300 millimetres (130 in) total annual rainfall.

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In contrast to the Paranaense region, the Chaco has a tropical wet-and-dry climate bordering onsemi-arid. The Chaco experiences seasons that alternately flood and parch the land, yet seasonal variations in temperature are modest. Chaco temperatures are usually high; the temperature drops only slightly in winter. Even at night the air is stifling despite the usually present breezes. Rainfall is light, varying from 500 to 1,000 millimeters (19.7 to 39.4 in) per year, except in the higher land to the northwest where it can be somewhat greater. Rainfall is concentrated in the summer months, and extensive areas that aredeserts in winter become summer swamps.

In 2017, youth activistDiana Vicezar established a community-based organisation designed to tackle elements of the climate crisis and animal welfare.^[2] Paraguay has a large issue with abandoned dogs, as well asplastic pollution, so Vicezar established Mymba Rayhu to build shelter for thesefree-ranging dogs using recycled materials.^[2]

• Geography of Paraguay
• Climate of Argentina
• Climate of Brazil
• Climate of Asunción

• Climate by country
• Geography of Paraguay
• Climate of South America

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