Polar temperatures hit Argentina, Brazi

BUENOS AIRES: ‎‎A polar wave of low temperatures hit Argentina today as the thermometers considerably descended in what is expected to be one of the coldest winters of the decade, announced the National Meteorological Service (SMN) last week.

Low temperatures might even bring some snow to the capital and suburban areas, a rare event as the one registered in 2007 when the snow took porteños by surprise after 89 years without the phenomenon.

This morning, according to the National Meteorological Service of Argentine, 13 provinces registered below zero Celsius temperatures. The coldest one was registered at around 7 am at Villa Reynolds, San Luis province, where thermometers hit - 8.6 below zero.

The SMN reported that around 7 this morning Mendoza, Santiago del Estero, San Juan, Chaco, Córdoba, Corrientes, Jujuy, Santa Fe, Buenos Aires, Entre Ríos, Catamarca, La Pampa and San Luis showcased below zero temperatures.

In Malargue, Mendoza province, thermometers marked a - 7, 2 temperatures. However, the wind chill factor hit 10,1 Celsius below zero. Santiago del Estero, San Juan and Presidente Roque Sáenz Peña (Chaco province) registered a -5,8, -5 and -4,6 respectively.

In Cordoba province, SMN measured 4,5 degrees celsious in Laboulaye, 4 degrees below zero in Pilar, - 3,4 in Rio Cuarto and – 2, 8 at the Cordoba’s Observatory. However, at the city centre and downtown wind chill factor reached -6,2 Celsius.

Paso de los Libres, Corrientes province, registered -4, La Quiaca and Jujuy, - 3,8. At the capital, Buenos Aires, thermometers marked 2 degrees Celsius at 7 am with wind chill factor of -0,2 below zero.

Brazil’s southern cities also experienced a sudden drop of temperatures. The states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul reported snow and below zero temperatures. According to

Brazil’s National Meteorological Services (Inmet), snow was reported in the cities of São Joaquim and Bom Jesus. More snow and freezing cold temperatures are expected for this week.

Regions bordering Argentina are expected to hit - 2 Celsius below zero.