# Severe weather across South America

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/severe-weather-across-south-america
> Updated: 2026-08-24T19:02:00.000Z. Sources: 85. Developments: 2.

South America has experienced a series of severe weather events affecting multiple countries. In late August, Ushuaia, Argentina, reported infrastructure concerns where hotel runoff created dangerous ice patches, while a tropical wave caused heavy rain, hail, and storm damage in Zulia, Venezuela, destroying roofs and damaging the electrical grid.

As the weather patterns progressed, conditions intensified across the continent. In Argentina, Zonda winds destroyed 18 homes in Pocito, San Juan, displacing approximately 60 people. Other Argentine regions, such as Mendoza, faced alerts for Zonda winds and heavy snowfall. In Chile, authorities issued warnings for landslides and flooding in the Los Ríos and Maule regions. Meanwhile, Venezuela continued to experience thunderstorms and rain driven by tropical waves, and Uruguay prepared for incoming storms following a period of high temperatures.

## Claims

- An orange alert for heavy snowfall is active in Mendoza, with accumulations between 60 and 150 cm. (disputed by 2 sources)
- The SMN issued a yellow alert for heavy snow in Mendoza, with accumulations between 60 and 150 cm. (disputed)
- A yellow alert for Zonda wind is in effect for much of San Juan, with gusts potentially exceeding 70 km/h. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The SMN issued a yellow alert for strong winds in Chubut with gusts exceeding 90 km/h. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- An orange alert for heavy rain is in effect for parts of Neuquén. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The DMC issued a warning for potential electrical storms and hail between Ñuble and Los Lagos. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- SENAPRED declared a Regional Yellow Alert for rising river levels in the Maule Region of Chile. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Three wild animals died due to burns and smoke inhalation from forest fires in Cundinamarca. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The deceased animals included a tree porcupine, a tamandua, and an armadillo. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- A nocturnal monkey was rescued in Puerto Salgar and is receiving specialized care at the Wildlife Care and Valuation Center (CAV) in Tocaima. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The fires occurred in the municipalities of Villeta, Guaduas, Caparrapí, and Puerto Salgar. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Nuevosur has activated a preventive alert and contingency plan due to forecasted heavy rains in the Maule Region. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-24: South America faces severe weather including Zonda winds and heavy rains

Severe weather across South America includes destructive Zonda winds and fires in Argentina, flooding risks in Chile, and heavy tropical rains in Venezuela and Uruguay.

83 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/neuqun-faces-orange-weather-alert-for-heavy-rain-and-wind

### 2026-08-22: Weather and infrastructure issues reported in Ushuaia and Zulia

Weather and infrastructure issues cause concern in Ushuaia, Argentina, due to icy streets, and in Zulia, Venezuela, where storms caused flooding, hail, and power outages.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/weather-and-infrastructure-issues-reported-in-ushuaia-and-zulia

---
Cite as: Severe weather across South America. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/severe-weather-across-south-america