Polar cold wave in AMBA: the coldest day of the week and areas that will register frost

Argentina is bracing for a significant cold snap as a polar air mass moves across the country. The National Meteorological Service (SMN) confirmed the arrival of this frigid air, which is expected to intensify from Wednesday, July 1, and bring the coldest day of the year to the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires (AMBA) on Friday, July 3.

Temperatures in the southern suburbs of Buenos Aires are forecast to dip below 0°C, with frost expected in the early morning hours. Areas like Ezeiza, Cañuelas, Quilmes, and Berazategui are anticipated to experience the most severe temperature drops. In contrast, the City of Buenos Aires and the northern parts of the Greater Buenos Aires region will see minimums closer to 1°C. Despite the cold, the sky is expected to remain clear with no precipitation.

The cold air is not confined to the AMBA; it is also affecting northern Argentina, with temperatures as low as 2°C in Salta and 7°C in Tucumán. Neighboring countries, including Paraguay, Uruguay, and southern Brazil, are also experiencing the anomaly. Meteorologists predict widespread snowfall in western Argentina from Ushuaia to the northwest between Wednesday and Thursday, with accumulations possible around Mendoza and San Juan.

Historical records provide context for the severity of this event. The lowest temperature ever recorded in the Capital Federal was -5.4°C on July 9, 1918. More recently, a significant snowfall on July 9, 2007, remains a vivid memory for many residents. Authorities are urging citizens to take extreme precautions, especially for children and the elderly, to protect pets, and to use heating systems safely to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. A return to more normal temperatures is anticipated by the weekend.