South America Daily Snow
By Luke Stone, Forecaster Posted 10 months ago August 19, 2024
Active Through Friday
Summary
The pattern remains active through the end of the workweek with some decent accumulations on the way, favoring the central zone. After a break over the weekend, more storms are possible early next week.
Short Term Forecast
The closed upper-level area of low pressure I discussed in Friday's post has drifted west off the Chilean coast. This is producing snow showers this (Monday) morning and will continue to do so through Wednesday. The northern zone should do best during this period, but accumulations aren't likely to exceed 15 cm. When this storm moves onshore Sunday night the dynamics will be more favorable for heavy snow thanks to more moisture and more westerly winds.
Given the small size of the closed upper-level low, this area of heavy snow remains more difficult to forecast than most storms that impact this region. The northern part of the central zone has the best chances for solid accumulations, around Las Araucarias, Nevados de Chillan, Pucon, Corralco, and Antuco. The latest snow forecast from the European model is shown below.
Up to 40 cm is possible in this area, if the latest forecast of the storm track holds. This zone of heavier snow could be shifted a bit north or south if the track changes. Temperatures are cold and winds aren't too strong, so Thursday and Friday have the potential to be really good powder days. Snow will taper to showers on Friday, though it may slow down a bit earlier in some spots.
Saturday and Sunday should be mainly dry as a ridge develops over the area.
Extended Forecast
Another storm is possible as early as Monday night, but right now it doesn't look too strong. There are signs for more action during the middle and later part of next week as well, but I'll have more details on that in a future post.
Next update on Wednesday.
Thanks for reading the South America Daily Snow!
Luke Stone (@imlukesnow)
Forecaster, OpenSnow
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