Chile’s capital, Santiago, was in the midst of autumn when an unexpected and extreme weather event occurred, signaling the abrupt onset of winter. Within hours, temperatures plummeted, breaking a 74-year record and catching residents off guard. Climatologists, like Raul Cordero from the University of Santiago, noted that such a rapid shift in weather during the autumn season has not been witnessed since 1950, marking an unprecedented and prolonged winter season.
On Thursday morning, the mercury dropped to a chilling one degree Celsius in Santiago, with snow blanketing the surrounding mountains, further emphasizing the severity of the weather anomaly. This sudden change has left scientists worldwide astonished, highlighting it as a dangerous manifestation of climate change and categorizing it as an extreme weather disaster.
Raul Cordero explained that while May began with typical warmth, the abrupt transition to extreme cold from extreme heat is concerning. The Chilean government responded by implementing Code Blue in six central Chilean regions, urging residents to take precautions against the unexpected winter conditions to prevent health issues, especially among children and the elderly. Cordero attributed the unusual weather to the convergence of cold polar winds and hot tropical winds, creating a potential for storms.
Moreover, the impact of this weather anomaly extended beyond Chile, contributing to a devastating storm in Brazil, resulting in severe rainfall and flooding, claiming numerous lives. Cordero highlighted the influence of climate phenomena like El Niño and La Niña, which could exacerbate seasonal changes, affecting regions hundreds of kilometers away from Santiago. The unexpected shift in weather underscores the urgency of addressing climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
