The Institute of Meteorology of Cuba (Insmet) confirmed that last Tuesday, for the first time in the country’s history, a temperature of zero degrees Celsius was recorded at the Indio Hatuey meteorological station in the province of Matanzas. This extreme value surpassed the historical minimum of 0.6°C, reported in 1996 in Bainoa, Mayabeque.
The phenomenon had a visible impact in the region, with the formation of frost in agricultural areas, an unprecedented sight for the Cuban tropical climate. Observer Fidel Ruz described the day as “a truly cold dawn”.
Causes of the temperature drop
Insmet explained that the mark was due to the advance of a polar air mass, which caused widespread cooling across much of the country.
- 32 meteorological stations reported temperatures equal to or below 10°C.
- The combination of clear skies, dry air, and weak winds favored nocturnal heat loss.
- An exceptional cold front from the north allowed Cuba to reach the freezing point in its official records for the first time.
Impact on the population
In Matanzas, residents noted that the cold persisted for several consecutive days. “They were freezing dawns, something we are not used to experiencing”, a neighbor recounted.
In Havana and nearby areas, the low thermal sensation forced reinforcement of shelter measures in homes. The situation became more complex due to the energy and fuel crisis the country is experiencing:
- The lack of stable electricity prevents the continuous use of stoves and heaters.
- The scarcity of gas and fuels limits the ability to cook or heat water at flexible times.
- Many families reorganize their routines to take advantage of the few resources available when there is electrical service.
Economic and agricultural consequences
The low temperatures affected daily routines and also rural production. Producers reported frost damage to crops sensitive to cold, which could impact the local agricultural economy.
This episode adds to the difficulties arising from the restrictions imposed by the United States, which reduced the availability of oil and further weakened the Cuban energy system.
Official recommendations
Authorities urged:
- Properly dressing the population, especially children and the elderly.
- Rationalizing energy use in a system under pressure.
- Protecting crops and taking preventive measures in rural areas.
The record of zero degrees in Cuba marks a historic climatic milestone for the island, which had never reached the freezing point in its official measurements. The combination of an exceptional cold front and a weakened energy system presents a double challenge: facing extreme weather conditions in a tropical country and doing so amid a structural crisis affecting daily life and the economy.
