Statistical and dynamic characterization of the climate of Pampa El Leoncito and its surroundings (Calingasta-San Juan)

Abstract

The present work set out to characterize statistically and dynamically the climate of the area that includes  the  Pampa  El  Leoncito  and  the  observatory  El  CASLEO  and  its  surroundings.  For  this,  an  attempt  was  made  to  describe,  understand  and  analyze,  mainly  the  climatic  variables  such  as  heliophany,  temperature,  humidity,  cloudiness  and  winds,  to  contextualize  it  in  a  climatic  classification.The study of wind, direction and speed is important because it is related to a very popular sport in this area called “Carrovelismo”, sailing cars powered by it. Due to the optimal conditions in this area to practice this sport, it is a worldwide tourist attraction. The data provided by the CASLEO automatic meteorological station was recorded every half hour, for ubsequent analysis. The investigated period was from 2007 to 2017, variables such as maximum, average  and  minimum  temperature  were  processed;  average  and  maximum  wind  direction  and  speed. They were discriminated by years, months, days and hours (calculated every half hour per day) in the four seasons of the year.In the spacial distribution, temperatures and rainfall depend on the relief. The latter are abundant in  the  mountains  in  winter  in  the  form  of  snow.  The  seasonal  variability  of  these  variables  have  a  summer  regime  in  the  Calingasta  valley.  It  is  confirmed  that  the  area  is  quintessential  tourist  because  it  has  moderate  temperatures,  low  rainfall  and  atmospheric  humidity  in  summer,  and  a  regime of valley breezes that promote optimal climatic comfort. Added to this is the presence of an international astronomical observatory and the possibility of carving.