Record Cold Grips Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay as Polar Air Mass Hits

• A polar air mass has brought record low temperatures to Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay.
• At least 15 fatalities have been reported due to the extreme cold across these nations.
• Buenos Aires recorded its lowest temperature in over three decades at -1.9 °C.
• Uruguay’s government declared a nationwide ‘red alert’ in response to the cold conditions.
• Southern Cone cities have activated emergency shelter plans for the homeless population.

Severe Cold Weather Affects Southern Cone Nations

In a striking turn of events, a polar air mass has descended upon Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, leading to unprecedented low temperatures this winter. This extreme weather has claimed at least 15 lives, compelling governments to take decisive action by restricting gas supplies and activating emergency shelters across the region. An alarming number of cold-related deaths has been reported, particularly among the homeless population, with NGOs like Proyecto 7 indicating that nine individuals have perished in Argentina alone amid this harsh climate.

Record Low Temperatures Recorded Across the Region

As temperatures plummeted, Buenos Aires hit a chilling milestone recording its lowest temperature since 1991 at -1.9 degrees Celsius (28.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Additionally, the coastal town of Miramar witnessed snowfall for the first time in 34 years—an unusual spectacle for the region. Meanwhile, further south in Maquinchao, records indicated temperatures sinking to an astonishing -18 degrees Celsius. The electricity demand surged during these frigid conditions, resulting in widespread outages across Buenos Aires, with thousands left without power for more than 24 hours, a troubling situation that added to the public’s distress.

Emergency Shelters Activated Amidst Polar Conditions

Uruguay’s President Yamandu Orsi has declared a nationwide ‘red alert’ following six fatalities attributed to the cold. His government has initiated the forcible relocation of homeless individuals to shelters as part of the emergency response. In Montevideo, the mercury dipped to 5.8 degrees Celsius, marking the lowest maximum temperature since 1967 on June 30, according to meteorologist Mario Bidegain. In Chile, cities activated their shelter protocols as the cold spread, showing temperatures in Chillan plunging to -9.3 degrees Celsius, as corroborated by the Chilean Meteorological Directorate. Climatologist Raul Cordero has highlighted that such cold waves, mostly provoked by the polar air mass from Antarctica, are becoming more common—raising concerns over the potential influence of climate change on these extreme weather patterns.

The recent polar air mass impacting Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay has resulted in record low temperatures and tragic fatalities. With measures taken by local governments to protect vulnerable populations and the possibility of changing weather patterns linked to climate change becoming evident, the Southern Cone grapples with the complexities of extreme weather events. Relief from these severe conditions is anticipated in the coming days, but experts warn this might not be the last of such incidents as climate trends continue to evolve.