‘Thermal Collapse’ Brings Unusual Snow, Hail and Graupel to Argentina

The forecast “thermal collapse” arrived with hail, graupel and unusual cold across parts of Argentina, overturning the springlike conditions many people had enjoyed only days earlier.

Bahía Blanca saw a widespread hailstorm overnight. The white, dense landscape raised concern among residents still close to the trauma of the city’s March 2025 floods, although the article said the event lasted several hours. Images quickly circulated showing hail covering even the city center.

Other cities in Buenos Aires province experienced similar conditions. Tandil also had hail, while temperatures in Mar del Plata fell close to freezing. Children in Abasto, near La Plata, played in graupel, a form resembling sleet that can evoke the prospect of real snow. Snow itself remained an unrealized hope in those areas.

The cold was expected to last at least until Tuesday. Buenos Aires was forecast to see lows between 1°C and 6°C, with highs reaching 19°C, giving the start of the week a distinctly wintry feel. Cloud, rain and showers were expected in some areas, while others would remain dry.

La Cumbrecita was forecast to fall to -3°C and reach only 9°C, with a chance of light overnight snow. Bahía Blanca was expected to register 0°C and 8°C, with a 40% chance of rain. Tandil could also drop to -3°C, with a maximum of 8°C and only a 10% chance of precipitation.