Argentina issues cold, snow, and wind alerts for Saturday

Argentina's National Meteorological Service (SMN) has issued a series of yellow and orange alerts for adverse weather conditions across several provinces on Saturday, August 15. The warnings encompass extreme cold, heavy snowfall, strong winds, Zonda winds, and thunderstorms.

The most severe, an orange-level alert for snowfall, targets the mountainous areas of San Juan and Mendoza. These regions are expected to receive between 60 and 100 centimeters of snow, with potential for higher accumulations. The SMN warns that these conditions may be accompanied by winds that reduce visibility and cause snow suspension.

Yellow alerts for snowfall are in effect for the southern tip of Santa Cruz and the mountainous region of Neuquén, where persistent snow is anticipated, with accumulations ranging from 10 to 30 centimeters. Additionally, yellow alerts for strong winds are issued for Catamarca, San Juan, Tucumán, Salta, Jujuy, La Rioja, and Santiago del Estero. Winds from the west are predicted to reach speeds of 60 to 80 kilometers per hour, with gusts potentially exceeding 120 kilometers per hour.

Yellow alerts for Zonda winds are active in Catamarca, Salta, Tucumán, San Juan, and La Rioja. Meanwhile, yellow alerts for thunderstorms are in place for Santa Fe, Entre Ríos, and Corrientes, with expectations of heavy rainfall, hail, strong gusts, and intense electrical activity. Accumulated rainfall could reach 30 to 50 millimeters, possibly more in localized areas. The SMN also issued a yellow alert for extreme cold in western Santa Cruz, warning of potentially dangerous temperatures.