A polar air mass is bringing extreme cold and sub-zero temperatures to Chile and several provinces across Argentina.
This weather event, described as a "polar bomb," has caused significant disruptions and triggered official alerts as temperatures plummet across the region. The severity of the cold has led to unexpected snowfall in areas not typically associated with heavy winter precipitation.
According to reports issued on July 3, 2026 [2], the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional of Argentina maintained alerts for extreme temperatures across much of the country. The polar blast has specifically affected the northern Patagonia region and four provinces—Córdoba, Tucumán, Mendoza, and San Juan—which were placed under yellow alerts [4].
In those four provinces, the drop in temperature was so severe that residents awoke to a blanket of white snow [3]. Meteorologists have forecasted minimum temperatures as low as -2 °C [1]. Arlette Chacón of TVN Chile said the cold front had a regional impact.
Regarding the duration of the freeze, sources provide slightly different timelines. A spokesperson for the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional said the relief from the cold would begin mid-week [2]. However, reports from MSN said the extreme cold would persist until Wednesday, with minimum temperatures remaining below zero across most of the territory [1].
The weather pattern has been characterized by heavy frosts and fog. While some light rain was forecast, the primary concern for local authorities remains the prolonged period of freezing temperatures and the impact of the polar mass on infrastructure and agriculture in the affected provinces.
“The extreme cold will last until Wednesday, with minimums below zero in most of the territory.”
The arrival of a 'polar bomb' in July indicates a significant southward shift of polar air masses, affecting regions of Argentina and Chile that may not be fully equipped for sudden, extreme freezes. The use of yellow alerts in provinces like Córdoba and Tucumán suggests a level of weather volatility that can disrupt local agriculture and transport, highlighting the region's vulnerability to erratic winter temperature swings.
