Yet another rare snowfall in South America

[tich]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/6940544.stm

First time in 8 years rather than 90 years - Santiago is a bit above sea-level compared to Buenos Aires. The ECMWF models have lately been predicting a major shot of polar air from Antarctica to sweep over lower South America.

[RWood]

Would have been interesting. In several trips there I haven't yet seen rain, even in winter.

[RWood]

NOAA report for July confirms coldness of Argentina (the only significant landmass area to be colder than 1961-1990 average YTD).

Still haven't managed to get land or sea in either hemisphere colder than 20th century average in "recent" times, though if a La Nina evolves properly it could get interesting for at least the SH ocean.

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/res ... .html#temp

[TokWW]

I have seen the ocean temps have swept cold right up the eastern side from the Cape - that may be normal just as it does around the SI here. But it would also assist the current conditions.

[tich]

Much of southern and western South America is so far having their coldest winter for many (I don't know how many) years, with some very cold outbreaks from Antarctica. The snowfall in Buenos Aires, being their first in 90 years, would probably be the equivalent in NZ of snow blanketing Hamilton. (if you can imagine that)

[Gary Roberts]

[It] would probably be the equivalent in NZ of snow blanketing Hamilton. (if you can imagine that)

I can imagine the look on Foggy's face.