Another Cold Wave Reaches Brazil; Argentina's Beaches Blanketed White; Rare Cold Keeps Atacama Desert Snowbound, ALMA Remains Offline; + Globally, July Begins Chilly

"Something weird going on with the global weather circulation."

Another Cold Wave Reaches Brazil

Another polar air mass has neared the equator, plunging temperatures across southern Brazil.

At least 35 cities in Rio Grande do Sul awoke to subzero readings (C) Tuesday, the coldest spot being Santana do Livramento which hit -6.6C (20F), according to the State Civil Defense.

Other cities didn’t fare much better:

Rosário do Sul saw -5.4C (22F), São José dos Ausentes shivered at -4.5C (24F), Alegrete at -4.3C (24F), São Francisco de Paula at -3.9C (25F), Dom Pedrito posted -3.4C (26F), Cambará do Sul saw -3.3C (26F), Getúlio Vargas logged -3.1C (26F), David Canabarro dipped to -2.8C (27F), Ilópolis and Lavras do Sul both to -2.7C (27F), Soledade to -2.6C (27F), and Victor Graeff to -2.4C (28F).

Widespread frost was reported, especially in higher-altitude regions like São José dos Ausentes. Black ice warnings were issued across Serra Gaúcha and Campos de Cima da Serra, with treacherous driving conditions.

The risk of black ice should ease by Wednesday as drier, polar air reduces surface moisture. But frost conditions will persist across southern Brazil through the week. The cold wave won't actually peak until Thursday and Friday.

Argentina's Beaches Blanketed White

Argentina’s Atlantic coast is seeing snow —its heaviest in over 30 years— as an intense Antarctic air mass grips the nation.