South American “Polar Bomb”: snow in Brazil, frosts in Argenitna / Chile and signigicant cooldown in Peru / Ecuador

On May 31, 2025, South America experienced a powerful cold wave, bringing freezing temperatures, frosts, and even snow to areas in southern Argentina, Chile, and Brazil that are not accustomed to such severe conditions. This extreme weather event was widely reported by local news outlets and meteorological services. Animals in Patagonia are under the snow and freezing on the local videos.

🇦🇷 Argentina

• Infobae – May 26, 2025: Reports on a polar air mass advancing over Argentina, bringing temperatures as low as -4°C in the central and northern regions, and below -10°C in Patagonia. The article discusses the expected impact on agriculture and the general public.
• Infobae – May 29, 2025: Provides an update on the ongoing cold wave, with temperatures below 4°C recorded across the country. The article includes insights from climatologist José Luis Stella on the persistence of the cold and its effects on daily life.

🇨🇱 Chile

• Wikipedia – May 29, 2025: Documents the occurrence of snow in various regions of Chile, including the Andes and parts of the Metropolitan Region, due to the polar air mass affecting the country.

🇧🇷 Brazil

• Wikipedia – May 29, 2025: Mentions the occurrence of snow in parts of southern Brazil, including São Joaquim and Urupema in Santa Catarina, as well as Cambará do Sul in Rio Grande do Sul, due to the polar air mass.

🇵🇪 Peru: Intense Cold in the Amazon and Andes

On May 28, 2025, the National Service of Meteorology and Hydrology of Peru (SENAMHI) issued a red alert for ten regions due to a significant cold front. This event, known as the tenth cold spell of the year, brought intense rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds, particularly impacting the Amazon and Andean regions. Regions such as Amazonas, Loreto, San Martín, Ucayali, Huánuco, Junín, Pasco, Madre de Dios, Cusco, and Puno experienced moderate to heavy rainfall, with some areas receiving up to 50 mm of rain daily. These conditions led to the possibility of flash floods and river overflows, posing risks to local communities.

In the highland areas, temperatures dropped significantly, with some regions experiencing nighttime lows near freezing. The cold front also brought strong winds, with gusts reaching up to 50 km/h in certain areas, exacerbating the cold conditions.

🇪🇨 Ecuador: Cold Front Affects the Highlands

Ecuador has also been experiencing the effects of a cold front since May 28, 2025. The National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology of Ecuador (INAMHI) reported that the cold front has led to a significant drop in temperatures across the Andean region. Cities such as Quito, Cuenca, and Tulcán have reported nighttime temperatures approaching freezing, with daytime highs remaining cooler than usual for this time of year.

The cold weather is expected to persist until early June, with temperatures gradually returning to normal as the system moves out of the region.

Frozen animals in Argentina. Source: https://www.tiktok.com/@madero.trader/video/7509156406650604806

Weather watch in South-American news.