Chile’s capital, Santiago, has been experiencing record-low temperatures for several days, with minimum temperatures around 0 °C (32 °F). This cold spell has made May 2024 the coldest May since 1950, according to the Chilean meteorological agency. In some coastal regions and parts of Santiago, temperatures have dipped below freezing, a rare occurrence for this time of year.
A rare snowfall blanketed several parts of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, causing widespread power outages and prompting local authorities to issue safety guidelines. The last time it snowed in Santiago was in 2020, although much later in the season.
The Puyehue-Cordón Caulle Volcanic Complex in Chile was placed under a Yellow alert at 20:00 UTC on April 26, 2024. This decision followed observations of increased ground deformation linked to an active inflation zone, located 6 km (3.7 miles) west-northeast of the 2011 eruption site. Monitoring data have shown the highest deformation rates since measurements began, reaching up to 2.4 cm (0.95 inches) per month.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit near the coast of Atacama, Chile at 01:31 UTC on February 14, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 22 km (13.7 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Intense wildfires in central Chile have resulted in at least 112 fatalities, hundreds missing and the destruction of thousands of homes as of early Monday, February 5, 2024. A state of emergency has been declared in response to the crisis, with fires continuing to spread through densely populated areas. Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Interior Minister Carolina Tohá highlighted the severity of the situation, noting the challenges posed by 92 active fires amid unusually high temperatures and the impact of the El Niño weather pattern.
Officials have issued a Red alert for extreme heat in Chile’s Santiago Metropolitan Region, with temperatures expected to remain high through at least February 2, 2024.
Wildfires continue to wreak havoc across central Chile, particularly in Valparaiso, O’Higgins, and Santiago, with over 2 800 ha (1 739 acres) affected and several communities evacuated.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the CSN Chile as M6.6 hit near the coast of Atacama, central Chile at 12:33 UTC (09:33 LT) on October 31, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 46 km (28 miles). USGS and EMSC are reporting M6.7 at a depth of 41 km (25 miles).
Increased volcanic activity was detected at the Villarrica volcano in Chile, starting on September 24, 2023, prompting officials to elevate the alert level to Orange. Evacuations have commenced in affected communes, and educational institutions have been temporarily closed.
A shallow earthquake registered by the USGS and EMSC as M6.1 hit West Chile Rise at 11:49 UTC on September 13, 2023 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
