the climate in the andes differs depending on which area, the altitude, and how close it is to the sea. the southern section is rainy and cool. the central andes are dry. the northern andes are normally rainy and warm, with an average temperature of in colombia. the climate is known to change very much in rather short distances. rainforests exist just miles away from the snow covered peak cotopaxi. the mountains have a large effect on the temperatures of nearby areas. the snow line depends on the location. it is at between 4,500 and 4,800 m (14,800–15,800 ft) in the tropical ecuadorian, colombian, venezuelan, and northern peruvian andes, going up to 4,800–5,200 m (15,800–17,060 ft) in the drier mountains of southern peru south to northern chile south to about 30°s, then going down to on aconcagua at 32°s, at 40°s, at 50°s, and only in tierra del fuego at 55°s; from 50°s, many of the bigger glaciers go down to sea level.