Buenos Aires endures coldest day of the year amid polar wave

Buenos Aires shivered through its coldest day of the year early Friday, with temperatures dipping to a frigid -0.2°C and a wind chill of -1°C. This unusual cold is part of a polar wave gripping much of Argentina, prompting yellow alerts across most provinces. Only a few northern and southern regions were spared the extreme cold.

The capital city's average historical minimum temperature over the past 40 years is a milder 8.3°C, making the sub-zero readings a stark departure. However, Friday's low did not break historical records, which stand at -2.5°C recorded in 1965. More recently, -1.9°C was registered in July 2025.

The polar air mass, characterized by a southerly wind, is expected to persist until Saturday morning. By Saturday afternoon, a shift in wind direction will bring slightly warmer temperatures. Sunday is forecast to see a return of colder air, with a minimum of 9°C and a chance of light rain or drizzle throughout the day, potentially making outdoor activities uncomfortable.