Chile with the Coldest Times in History! -9.3°C in Chillan, -8.1°C in Puerto Montt, and -7.9°C in Temuco as the Lowest Temperatures Ever!
Marek Kučera 
June 30 – July 3, 2025
An exceptional and deadly polar cold spell has gripped South America, plunging Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, southern and western Brazil and even Peru and soutnern Ecuador, in large areas into one of their coldest episodes on record, with all-time temperature records shattered and dozens of lives affected.
Historic Records Fall in Chile
According to Dirección Meteorológica de Chile (DMC), marked Chile’s coldest day in modern history (June 30th 2025). Several stations reported record-shattering lows, including:
- Chillán Airport: –9.3°C – the coldest temperature ever recorded at the station
- Puerto Montt Airport: –8.1°C – new all-time record
- Temuco: –7.9°C – the lowest June temperature ever recorded
- Several other locations approached or surpassed historic thresholds as well
These records are part of an unprecedented polar blast originating from the Antarctic region, pushing deep into South America.
Deadly Cold Sweeps Across Borders
The cold didn’t stop at Chile’s borders. It swept across:
- Argentina, where Buenos Aires recorded a maximum temperature of just 5.6°C, its 6th lowest daily maximum ever, and –1.9°C, the coldest low since 1991
- La Plata fell to 4.0°C, its coldest day on record
- Uruguay and Paraguay were also severely affected, with intense wind chill, snow, and below-freezing temperatures even at low altitudes
Chaos at the Border – Trucks Trapped in the Andes
One of the most dramatic consequences occurred at the Chile-Argentina border, where a massive snowstorm at 4,000 meters altitude on Route 27CH stranded over 180 trucks, including many Paraguayan drivers. Emergency services raced against time to rescue the stranded drivers, many of whom had been stuck in freezing temperatures for more than 24 hours.
Rising Human Toll
As of July 3, at least 15 people have died due to hypothermia and exposure, primarily among homeless populations in Argentina and Chile. Emergency shelters were overwhelmed in major cities, and authorities urged residents to stay indoors and limit travel.
A Rare Antarctic Air Surge
Meteorologists describe this event as a rare surge of Antarctic air, driven by a powerful displacement of the polar jet stream and anomalous pressure patterns. Temperatures across the Andes and Pampas dropped 15 to 20 degrees Celsius below seasonal norms, marking the coldest multi-day spell in South America since at least 1991 — and possibly since records began in some regions.
This brutal polar outbreak is a reminder of nature’s extremities in an era of climate imbalance. While much of the world battles heatwaves, South America has been thrown into a deep freeze — one that will be remembered for generations.
Key Data at a Glance:
| Location | Temperature | Record Type |
|---|---|---|
| Chillán AP | –9.3°C | All-time record low |
| Puerto Montt AP | –8.1°C | All-time record low |
| Temuco | –7.9°C | June record low |
| Buenos Aires | –1.9°C / 5.6°C | Coldest since 1991 / 6th lowest max ever |
| La Plata | 4.0°C | All-time coldest day |
| Maquinchao, ARG | –19.2°C | One of coldest in country |
| Balmaceda, CHI | –18.9°C | Extreme low temperature |
Source: Chilean Meteorological Service.
Source: SMN, Thierry Goose X
Source: ogimet.com
