Intense cold weather was felt in late June and early July from Patagonia to central Chile and Argentina, a phenomenon that also impacted agriculture, with reports that frost could affect fruit and winter crop production.

In Chile, it even snowed in the Atacama Desert, an exceptionally rare event, according to the WMO.

Snowfall was reported in areas unaccustomed to this phenomenon, disrupting transportation and education.

In addition, some localities recorded new record low temperatures.

Many weather stations also recorded exceptionally low temperatures, some below -15°C, especially in Patagonia, the Andes, and inland valleys.

All of this is a consequence of the cold air mass that affected the southern part of the continent between June 26 and 30, peaking on June 30.

jdt/rc/dla