Record Cold Hits Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay Amid Antarctic Air Mass Sweep

A viciously cold polar mass of Antarctic air has brought record-low records to Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, with a minimum of 15 fatalities reported and governments at the national level taking emergency measures. The bitter chill, which began early in the week, has brought harsh below-zero conditions to wide swaths of South America's Southern Cone.

A minimum of nine homeless persons died from freezing temperatures in Argentina, a local non-governmental organization  Proyecto 7 said. Buenos Aires' record low in 1991 was -1.9°C. Miramar on the coast experienced snow for the first time in 34 years. Temperatures fell to -18°C at Maquinchao farther south, creating hazardous conditions for vulnerable groups and straining power systems.

The highest electricity demand led to extended power outages across Buenos Aires, with thousands of its inhabitants experiencing more than 24 hours of power outages in some neighborhoods. In response, the government of Argentina implemented energy-saving measures, like reducing gas supply to manufacturing industries and fuel stations for the purposes of saving domestic heating resources. The government also lifted price controls on gas cylinders to stabilize access to energy resources.

Urguay issued national "red alert" after six individuals perished due to freezing sickness. The alert gave the government the authority to use forced sheltering of homeless citizens. Montevideo's all-time record lowest day-high was June 30, 1967 at 5.8°C, national meteorologist Mario Bidegain stated.

Emergency homeless shelter systems were opened by Chilean officials as cold conditions swept across a number of cities. Chillán, 400 kilometres from the capital Santiago, dipped to -9.3°C, according to Chilean Meteorological Directorate statistics. Even snow was reported to have fallen in the Atacama Desert, which is billed as the world's driest region, in an unprecedented weather event not seen in ten years.

Climatologists attribute the general freeze to a sudden shift of Antarctic polar air northward. University of Chile climatologist Raul Cordero explained the phenomenon as caused by movement of polar air masses, a trend that sometimes extends cold air beyond its normal edge. Cold snaps are far from normal, yet meteorologists contend that how cold and how frequent they become is vulnerable to the prevailing climate fluctuations.

Meteorologist Arnaldo Zuniga said the polar air masses were not normally advancing this far north, and while the phenomenon has been encountered, their higher unpredictability may be due to more dangerous climatic changes affecting the climatic conditions of the world. The cold weather caused widespread disruption to life, resulting in transport, power supply, and public health services issues in the three nations.

Relief from the cold is in store for the future, with temperatures set to begin an upturn. Buenos Aires will climb to 12°C, Montevideo to 14°C, and Santiago will become warmer solidly at 24.7°C. Experts warn that unprecedented weather fluctuation-nearly between heat and cold waves-is becoming ever more extreme.

Cordero also went on to claim that heat waves are much more prevalent today than cold snaps of recent decades. Heat events supposedly have tripled worldwide, not only occurring during summer but winter months as well, again pointing to the world's changing climate normals, even the Southern Cone of South America.

The affected countries have governments keeping a keen eye on the situation and realign emergency actions to the at-risk groups. Since temporary and long-term impacts of the climate are currently being experienced, it is a requirement of local planning authorities to plan for future frequent extreme weather adjustments.

Source:
Edited by Andrew Zinin, © 2025 AFP
Published through Climate Insider, originally reported on Fri 4 Jul 2025
Image Credit: AFP