Unseasonably low temperatures sweep across Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, causing chill in the air.
The Southern Cone region, including Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, has been hit by an extreme cold wave this week, caused by an escape of a polar air mass from Antarctica[1][3][4]. This unusual weather phenomenon brought subzero conditions as far north as the Altiplano, with some places experiencing temperatures as low as -15°C and setting historic lows like -9.3°C in Chillán, Chile[2][3][4].
Governments in the affected countries have issued cold alerts and activated emergency protocols such as homeless shelters due to the severity of the cold. The weather phenomenon has led to significant societal impacts, including energy crises, agricultural damage, and health risks, with at least 15 deaths reported so far[1][4][5].
In Argentina, the government suspended gas supplies to industries and petrol stations on Wednesday to ensure household supplies[7]. Buenos Aires also recorded its lowest temperature since 1991 at -1.9 degrees Celcius (28.6 Fahrenheit) on Wednesday[6]. The cold wave also caused electricity demand cuts, leaving thousands without power for over 24 hours in some areas[8]. At least nine homeless people have died from the cold this winter, according to NGO Proyecto 7[9].
In Chile, the cold wave hit the city of Chillan particularly hard, with temperatures reaching -9.3°C[2]. The city also experienced snowfall for the first time in 34 years[10]. The Chilean government activated homeless shelter plans during the coldest days[5]. Uruguay declared a nationwide "red alert" after six people died due to the cold[4]. Montevideo recorded its lowest maximum temperature since 1967 on June 30[11].
Regarding climate change, experts suggest a potential link but with caution. Meteorologist Arnaldo Zuniga noted that it is *not common* for these cold Antarctic air masses to reach so far north, implying that climate change **cannot be ruled out as a contributing factor** to the unusual extent and intensity of this cold wave[1][3][4]. Climatologist Raul Cordero also highlighted that although heat waves have become more frequent globally and in the Southern Cone, unusual cold events like this one still occur and may be influenced by the changing climate dynamics[3].
In summary:
| Cause | Details | |--------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | Polar air mass escape | Cold air from Antarctica moved unusually far north, causing extreme cold[1][3][4] | | Climate change potential factor| Unusual extent of cold air mass possibly linked to climate change, though not definitively confirmed[1][3][4] | | Consequences | Energy crisis, cold alerts, agricultural damage, deaths[1][4][5] |
This event illustrates how climate change can complicate weather patterns, sometimes intensifying rare cold spells even as overall global temperatures rise. The Southern Cone region is expected to continue experiencing unusual weather patterns in the coming days, with Buenos Aires expected to reach 12C, Montevideo 14C, and Santiago 24.7C[2].
- The sudden edge of a polar air mass from Antarctica has caused an extreme cold wave in the Southern Cone region, leading to temperatures as low as -15°C in some places, such as Chillán, Chile.
- The uncommon reach of Antarctic cold air has sparked discussions around climate change as a potential contributing factor, with experts noting that although global heat waves have become more frequent, unusual cold events like this one are still possible and may be impacted by the changing climate dynamics.
- The unexpected cold wave has resulted in societal impacts like energy crises, agricultural damage, and health risks, with at least 15 deaths reported in the affected countries, including Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay.
- As a response to the extreme weather conditions, governments in the region have issued cold alerts and activated emergency protocols, such as homeless shelters and Gas supply suspensions to industries and petrol stations, to mitigate the impact on their citizens. These actions highlight the importance of environmental-science, policy-and-legislation, and weather-forecasting in addressing the challenges posed by general-news events like this cold wave.
