Cold wave intensifies across Buenos Aires
A polar cold front is sweeping through a large portion of Argentina, and Buenos Aires City is now under a code orange alert due to persistently low temperatures. After initially entering through the southern regions, the icy air mass surged through Patagonia, and is now entrenched across the central provinces, moving slowly northward. Although the worst of the chill hit during the weekend and the early part of the week, the lingering cold remains a concern.
According to the National Meteorological Service (SMN), Buenos Aires City will remain under orange alert for the rest of the week. This level of warning implies a moderate to high health risk, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those without adequate shelter.
Cloudy skies over Buenos Aires, no rain expected
On Thursday, the day is expected to start with a frigid low near 37°F (3°C) in the early morning, before gradually warming up to a high of 54°F (12°C) by the afternoon, maintaining that temperature until the evening.
Morning skies will be mostly clear, but cloud cover will steadily increase. By the afternoon, conditions will become partly cloudy, and by nightfall, skies are forecast to be fully overcast.
Friday is expected to bring similar weather, closing out the week with a high of 54°F (12°C) and a morning low around 41°F (5°C)—a slight increase from Thursday’s minimum. Despite the absence of rain, skies will remain cloudy all day, with limited sunlight throughout.
Greater Buenos Aires also under orange alert
The orange warning extends beyond the capital. In the southern part of Buenos Aires Province, places like La Plata, Chascomús, and Dolores are facing the same health advisory. In the northern areas, including San Isidro, Tigre, Escobar, and Pilar, the alert remains active.
Moving west, La Matanza, Morón, Merlo, Moreno, and even Cañuelas are also under orange alert. Further outside the metro region, towns like Las Flores, Azul, and Olavarría are listed under a code yellow alert, indicating slightly less severe risk.
Some districts, such as Chivilcoy, 25 de Mayo, and 9 de Julio, are now under red alert—the highest level—for extreme cold, as is Tandil, the only area in the province under such an intense advisory.
Wider national impact: cold reaches Mendoza, San Juan, and the northeast
Beyond Buenos Aires, the orange alert is in effect across a wide swath of the country, including Mendoza, San Juan, La Rioja, Corrientes, Entre Ríos, Misiones, Santa Fe, and Formosa. A yellow alert has been issued for Salta, Chaco, Santiago del Estero, and parts of Formosa, where the cold is less severe but still notable.
Frozen shorelines in Quilmes: rare sight on the Río de la Plata
The deep freeze has also impacted Quilmes, on the southern outskirts of Buenos Aires, where a thin layer of ice was spotted forming along the banks of the Río de la Plata. The frozen shoreline, filmed and shared by Instagram user @decastrokevin, shows ice collecting in a low-lying, stagnant area near La Ribera. The runner commented, “I had to touch it to believe it,” after observing the frozen surface.
Although the entire river hasn’t frozen due to its salinity and water flow, the intense cold combined with stagnant coastal water created ideal conditions for ice formation—a rare event in this region.
The video quickly made the rounds on social media, sparking a mix of awe and concern. Local authorities and Civil Defense units issued alerts urging increased attention to the homeless population, children, and seniors, as the cold snap continues across the metropolitan area.
