According to the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN), a series of yellow alerts for extreme cold, snowfall, and strong winds were issued for August 9 affecting 15 provinces across Argentina, as a marked temperature drop accompanied the return of sunny weekend weather.
The extreme cold alert spans across the city and province of Buenos Aires, Tucumán, Catamarca, the southeast of Corrientes, Córdoba, the south of La Rioja and San Juan, the north of San Luis, the south of Mendoza, La Pampa, Neuquén, and the west of Río Negro and Santa Cruz. Official guidance from the SMN notes that these temperatures can prove dangerous, particularly for vulnerable groups including children, adults over 65 years old, and individuals managing chronic health conditions.
Detailed Regional Weather Forecasts And Active Warnings
Meteorological authorities have outlined specific hazards for different regions, requiring targeted precautions. In the southern part of Mendoza and the northwest of Neuquén, an active yellow alert warns of persistent snowfall expected to yield accumulated depths between 15 and 25 centimeters, with potential for isolated areas to exceed these totals. Meanwhile, the western sectors of La Rioja and Catamarca face warnings for strong winds reaching sustained speeds between 60 and 80 kilometers per hour, alongside gusts that may surpass 100 kilometers per hour. Additionally, a yellow alert for Zonda wind conditions covers Catamarca, Salta, and parts of Tucumán, where speeds are projected between 30 and 45 kilometers per hour with gusts exceeding 70 kilometers per hour.
Did You Know? The Servicio Meteorológico Nacional operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministerio de Defensa, issuing these coordinated public warnings to help protect the population from hazardous meteorological events.
Metropolitan Buenos Aires Weather And National Temperature Ranges
In the Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires (AMBA), temperatures remain below 10 degrees Celsius for a major portion of the day. The city of Buenos Aires recorded an early morning minimum of 4°C, heading toward a high of 13°C under clear skies during the morning and midday, before shifting to cloudier conditions by afternoon and evening with winds up to 22 kilometers per hour. Monday’s forecast points to a slight temperature drop without expected precipitation. Across the provincial territory, minimums started at 2°C with a high reaching 11°C, while Wednesday brings isolated rainfall during the second half of the day.
Temperature spreads vary widely across other monitored regions. Córdoba expects a range between 2°C and 15°C, Tucumán spans 5°C to 15°C, Santa Fe tracks from 4°C to 15°C, and Entre Ríos registers 4°C to 13°C. Northern provinces such as Jujuy and Salta both project ranges from 3°C to 17°C, while Misiones anticipates a milder 12°C to 18°C. Western and southern locations report significantly lower readings, including San Juan from -1°C to 12°C, Mendoza from 1°C to 8°C, Chubut from 1°C to 8°C, and Santa Cruz experiencing sub-freezing lows dropping to -3°C with a high of 4°C.
Expert Insight: Managing widespread cold snaps requires balancing immediate personal protection, such as layered clothing and safe indoor heating, with close monitoring of vulnerable populations like young children and individuals with chronic medical histories.
Official recommendations from the agency advise residents in affected zones to avoid prolonged exposure to the outdoors. When venturing outside, individuals should wear multiple layers of light clothing. Households are urged to keep indoor heating safe and avoid sudden temperature shifts. Maintaining adequate fluid intake and monitoring high-risk groups closely remain vital precautions during these weather events.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a yellow alert for extreme cold mean according to the SMN?
The SMN states that yellow-level temperatures can be dangerous, particularly for groups at risk such as children, individuals over 65 years old, and people with chronic illnesses.
What snow accumulation is expected in Mendoza and Neuquén?
Persistent snowfall is anticipated to bring accumulated snow totals between 15 and 25 centimeters, though localized areas could exceed those amounts.
What are the expected weather conditions for Buenos Aires on Monday?
Monday’s forecast indicates a slight drop in temperature with no anticipated precipitation for the city.
¿Cómo se está preparando su localidad para afrontar estas bajas temperaturas y alertas meteorológicas?
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