On June 30, both Chile and Argentina were classified among the coldest places on Earth, outside the polar regions.
The governments of both countries issued early warnings and cold weather alerts in response to the “polar origin” behind extreme conditions, Wmo said.
The cold in South America contrasts the abrasing heat in the northern hemisphere, especially in Europe, putting lives and further underlines the worsened impacts of climate change.
HEATING SYSTEMS AFFECTED
In Mar del Plata, Argentina, about 380 kilometers (240 miles) south of Buenos Aires, where winters are “cold” and temperatures rarely fall below freezing, unusual click has affected the distribution of natural gas, mainly used for heating.
A UN staff member in the city reported that companies that remain closed to conserve gas supplies for homes were asked. Public schools and buildings also closed on Thursday and possibly on Friday.
In large part of the center and southern Argentina, temperatures were from 10 ° C to 15 ° C – 50 ° F to 59 ° F – below seasonal averages.
Unusual climatic conditions
The cold spell began on June 26 and reached its maximum point on June 30, carrying minimal records to large parts of the continent.
“Although the Andean mountains and Patagonia are not alien to cold temperatures in winter, the seriousness of this event was exceptional and even affected the low areas,” Wmo said in a press release.
The high pressure system brought atmospheric stability, which resulted in clear severe skies and frosts.
In the Chilean cities of Santiago, Rancagua and Talca, the stagnant cold air led to an accumulation of pollutants and deteriorated the air quality.
National weather services in Chile and Argentina reported low record temperatures in multiple meteorological stations.
Surprisingly, the snow covered parts of the Atacama desert, the driest place on Earth, for the first time in more than a decade. The snow also fell into unusual places such as Mar del Plata, the Calamuchita Valley in Córdoba and the mountainous regions of Patagonia del Norte.
Great scope impacts
Concerns are growing on the broader social and economic impacts of extreme cold.
Farmers in center of Chile and northern Patagonia have reported crops damage due to the first frost, threatening fruit and winter crops.
Meanwhile, transport and schooling were interrupted in cities without accustoming the winter winning climate.