Snow and freezing temperatures hit the southwest of Buenos Aires province on June 30, 2024 [1], as a polar front swept through Argentina.

This weather event is significant because snowfall in the Buenos Aires region is uncommon, disrupting local conditions and triggering national weather alerts across several provinces.

The Servicio Meteorológico Nacional reported that the cold front caused extreme temperatures and snow precipitation in the region [2]. While the impact was heaviest in the southwest of Buenos Aires province, the phenomenon was also observed in Córdoba, Tucumán, Mendoza, and San Juan [1, 2].

Following a weekend characterized by cloudy and humid conditions in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area, the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional anticipated a sharp drop in temperatures that would last until mid-week [2].

"The polar cold is advancing throughout the country," the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional said [2].

Local authorities advised residents to take precautions against the extreme cold. The Servicio Meteorológico Nacional said it recommends that citizens stay informed about the evolution of the forecast and any potential meteorological alerts [1].

The snowfall was driven by a polar air mass that pushed freezing temperatures deep into the interior of the country, creating a winter landscape in areas that typically see less severe precipitation [2].

“The polar cold is advancing throughout the country.”

The occurrence of snowfall in the Buenos Aires province, combined with simultaneous freezing events in Córdoba and Mendoza, indicates a powerful polar surge. Such widespread extreme cold events can strain local infrastructure and agricultural outputs in regions not fully equipped for heavy snow.