The National Weather Service (SMN, for its Spanish initials) issued alerts for extreme low temperatures on Wednesday in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area and La Pampa. Parts of  Santa Cruz are also under climate warning after a red alert was issued specifically for the western part of the province.

The SMN also announced possible snowfalls in Tierra del Fuego, with levels of accumulated snow expected to range from 15 to 25 cm high. 

The country’s forecast for the upcoming days includes a “yellow level” warning of strong winds in most of Patagonia. Yellow alerts indicate a “possible meteorological phenomenon with the potential for damage and risk of momentary interruption of daily activities,” according to the SMN.

In areas tagged with a yellow-level alert for strong winds and extreme temperatures, the SMN recommends avoiding outdoor activities.

According to weather forecast group Meteoaficionados, the reason for this temperature drop is that the winds will rotate south on Wednesday, causing a progressive descent in temperature levels across the Pampa region. The lowest mark is expected for Friday morning, with temperatures way below zero, particularly in the center and southern areas of Buenos Aires and La Pampa provinces.

The wind alerts also included a Zonda wind warning in western Mendoza. The “zonda” is a hot and dry local wind that often carries dust as it comes down from the Andes mountains, at speeds over 240 km/h (150 mph).