Topoclimatic zoning of continental Chile

Abstract

In this study, the topoclimates of continental Chile are mapped. The mapping involves the identification of homogeneous zones based on the relationships between the climatic variables that characterize a location and the topography that influences the spatial behavior of these variables. The climatic and topographical zoning of the study area is conducted using a statistical methodology based on a combination of principal component analysis and cluster analysis. The climate, topography, and topoclimatic zoning yield 20, 8, and 96 clusters, respectively. Maximum topoclimatic variability is identified in sectors with mountain ranges and intermediate depression (especially in valley areas), and minimum variability is detected in the coastal sector. Furthermore, only one of the topoclimatic units has an area larger than 50,000 km2, whereas 46.8% of the units have surface areas below 2,000 km2.