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Summer Snowfall Blankets Patagonia Peaks After Heat and Wildfires

A Pacific cold front over the Andes triggered rare summer snow that cooled fire zones.

Overview

  • Snow fell on Cerro Catedral in Bariloche and high ridges around El Bolsón, including Piltriquitrón and Perito Moreno, marking the first significant snowfall of the year.
  • High-elevation temperatures dropped to around -4°C as the Pacific-sourced front moved across Río Negro and Neuquén, according to the national meteorological service.
  • The colder, wetter air increased humidity and helped slow wildfire activity in areas under a declared fire emergency after weeks of extreme heat and drought.
  • Epuyén’s mayor reported more than 100 homes destroyed by recent fires, including 37 this year, with a plan to rebuild this year’s losses in roughly three months.
  • Civil protection agencies urged caution for travelers, warning of slick conditions on Route 40, as forecasts indicated intermittent snow and rain could persist into Thursday.