A powerful polar air incursion from Antarctica will cause a marked drop in temperatures across much of Argentina starting on June 19. Meteorologists and climate models anticipate the arrival of an “Antarctic bomb” that will generate widespread frosts, snowfalls in mountainous areas, and thermal records well below usual values.
The 8 most affected provinces
The first analyses from the National Meteorological Service (SMN) show that the provinces most exposed to the initial impact of this cold front will be:
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Santa Cruz
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Chubut
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Río Negro
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Neuquén
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La Pampa
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Mendoza
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San Luis
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South of Buenos Aires
In Patagonia, minimums below -10°C could be recorded, while localities in the Argentine center would have marks close to or below 0°C. As the cold air mass advances, other provinces in the center could also experience a significant thermal drop.
What is an “Antarctic bomb”? Although it is not an official technical designation by the SMN, the term is used to describe abrupt polar air entries that cause a significant temperature drop in a few hours.
The arrival of this Antarctic air will occur after several days marked by rain and humidity, which will favor a sudden temperature change towards a fully winter scenario.
Why will this phenomenon occur?
The formation of this “Antarctic bomb” is associated with the displacement of a very cold air mass from high latitudes towards South America.
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Push mechanism: A high-pressure system will strengthen over the South Pacific or Antarctica, acting as a driver that channels the extremely cold air towards Patagonia and the center of the country.
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Clear atmosphere: The prior presence of storms will help “clean” the atmosphere, facilitating the subsequent installation of dry and very cold air.
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High-level winds: Air currents will favor a meridional circulation (from south to north), meaning that the polar air will encounter fewer obstacles to advance over Argentine territory.
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