Chile recorded its coldest May in more than 70 years

Chileans are facing the coldest May in more than 70 years with temperatures expected to drop further as the country prepares to enter winter starting in June.

White snow covers the hills in Santiago, Chile on May 8, 2024 (Photo: AFP).

On the morning of May 16, the temperature in the central area of ​​the capital Santiago was only about 11 ^o C. This week, the Chilean government activated the "green code" - a low level weather warning - to protect and Support people living on the streets. Depending on the situation, this warning level may have to be raised.

Climatologist Raul Cordero at the University of Santiago said this is the longest and strongest cold spell in May that the capital Santiago has recorded since 1950. According to him, the cause of this phenomenon is due to the collision of Polar cold mass with tropical warm mass. This collision could lead to extreme weather events, like the recent storms in Brazil, which brought severe rain and flooding, killing nearly 150 people.

Climatologist Cordero said climate change and the weather phenomena El Nino and La Nina are the "culprits" causing extreme weather events.

Experts advise people to stay healthy, especially in the context that Chile will officially enter winter in just 2 weeks.