Abstract
A simple empirical model to describe the latitudinal distributions of monthly mean surface pressure along the Chilean coast is proposed. Model hypotheses, such as regions into which latitude distributions are to be divided and latitude dependencies of pressure within these regions to be assumed, are discussed with reference to a climatic scenario that has been found of value in developing simple empirical climatic models for coastal stations in Chile. Equations are derived giving pressure at any latitude as a function of the latitude of the location of maximum monthly mean pressure in Chile (LMP) and of pressure at that location. It is concluded that the proposed model describes adequately the observed latitudinal distributions. Moreover, it is found that the coupling between the Pacific Anticyclone and the continent is particularly simple for locations north of the LMP's latitude, leading to a unified quantitative description of climate for those latitudes. Furthermore, the model allows qualitative inferences to be made regarding the interaction mechanisms between the main meteorological centres of action on a regional scale, which may prove of value to identify trends of regional climatic change.