A polar wave has brought snowfall and sub-zero temperatures to southern and central Argentina, affecting several provinces including Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Mendoza, and Tucumán [1].
This weather event disrupts regional infrastructure and public safety, necessitating emergency alerts as temperatures drop below freezing in areas not typically accustomed to heavy snow.
The National Meteorological Service said the event was a "bomba de frío" — or cold bomb — and forecasted chances of snowfall starting Thursday morning [4]. This Antarctic air mass pushed temperatures below 0 °C in several localities [1].
In the province of Buenos Aires, authorities issued a yellow alert for temperatures falling below zero [2]. The snowfall was reported with significant force across four provinces [1], including the coastal towns of Mar del Plata and Necochea [1].
Residents in Mendoza and Tucumán also reported snowfall as the cold front expanded across the country [3]. The weather pattern was expected to persist through the weekend, maintaining extreme cold conditions across the affected regions [3].
According to reports, the snow reached various sectors of Mendoza, Tucumán, Córdoba, and Buenos Aires [5]. Local officials monitored the situation as the polar wave moved through the central heartland, impacting daily travel and agricultural activities.
“The National Meteorological Service pronosticó una "bomba de frío"”
The arrival of an Antarctic air mass in central Argentina indicates a significant shift in regional weather patterns, where the 'cold bomb' effect can lead to rapid temperature drops. The issuance of yellow alerts in provinces like Buenos Aires underscores the risk to public health and infrastructure in areas that lack the specialized equipment or architectural readiness for sustained sub-zero temperatures and snowfall.
