Widespread weather alerts and closures affect regions across the Americas

On July 23, 2026, national meteorological services issued a series of alerts covering extreme heat, cold, and snowfall throughout the Americas. In Mexico, the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN) warned that the canícula—an intra‑seasonal heat spell—has begun in parts of the northeast, the Gulf coast, the Yucatán Peninsula and the Pacific south, with maximum temperatures expected between 35 °C and 40 °C in southern Morelos and up to 45 °C in Baja California and Sonora.

In Argentina, the SMN declared a red alert for extreme cold in Patagonia, especially in Santa Cruz, where temperatures dropped below –10 °C, accompanied by intense snowfalls and high seas that disrupted local traffic. Yellow alerts for snowfall were also issued for Chubut, Río Negro, Neuquén, Mendoza, San Juan and La Rioja, with accumulations forecast between 20 cm and 50 cm in the Andes. Similar cold alerts were posted for Tierra del Fuego, with temperatures down to –9 °C and icy road conditions. Bariloche reported heavy snow that boosted tourism, reaching 85 % hotel occupancy while warning of icy streets.

Further south, the Argentine park authorities announced temporary closures of the Iguazú National Park’s Garganta del Diablo circuit due to rising river levels, while the Chilean CONAF extended the preventive closure of several protected areas in the Valparaíso region because of intense rain, wind and fallen trees.

In the Dominican Republic, the Instituto Dominicano de Meteorología (Indomet) warned of a trough bringing strong thunderstorms and heavy rain across numerous provinces, with temperatures remaining in the mid‑30s Celsius. Meanwhile, Italy’s Parque Nacional El Leoncito was closed after a snowstorm left about 25 cm of accumulation and frozen access roads.

These alerts underscore a continent‑wide pattern of extreme weather conditions affecting public safety, transportation, tourism and park operations.