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4 clusters · 17 sources · 6 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: INTERNATIONAL · CRIME

Zonda wind and weather alerts in Argentine provinces

Entities: Mendoza Province (Argentina) · San Juan Province (Argentina) · Mendoza Province · Easter Island · San Juan (Argentina)

Overview

On July 31 2026 the National Meteorological Service issued a yellow alert for the Zonda wind across San Juan and Mendoza. Gusts over 70 km/h, rapid temperature rises and very low humidity triggered numerous incidents, including fallen trees, damaged infrastructure and dozens of field fires. Schools in both provinces suspended in‑person classes, and civil‑defence agencies coordinated emergency measures.

In San Juan, volunteer firefighters quickly contained a two‑metre‑high field blaze in Chimbas that threatened a nearby house and halted an illegal waste‑burning fire in Maimará, warning that those responsible could face severe penalties.

Mendoza experienced the same Zonda conditions, recording 64 incidents with 19 field fires and one elderly person injured by a falling branch. The most affected districts were Guaymallén (33 incidents) and Las Heras (11). Simultaneously, a sudden white‑wind storm at Puente del Inca forced the evacuation of more than 200 tourists to Penitentes; the Gendarmería Nacional coordinated the operation, issuing an early‑warning alert before visibility dropped to near‑zero. No injuries were reported and the Cristo Redentor International Pass remained closed due to ongoing snowfalls.

By early August, authorities expanded alerts: a yellow Zonda wind warning covered additional pre‑cordillera zones in San Juan, while an orange alert warned of heavy snowfall in the Mendoza cordillera with accumulations up to 60 cm and wind gusts up to 100 km/h, creating white‑out conditions. Similar strong‑wind advisories were issued for parts of Neuquén, Río Negro, San Juan and Santa Cruz, urging travelers to limit mountain‑route travel. Emergency crews continue heightened monitoring and preventive actions across the region.

Timeline

  1. about 19 hours ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Strong winds hit San Juan, Argentina as rain spreads across Chile

    Zonda winds in San Juan, Argentina bring 60‑69 km/h gusts and cool temps, while a frontal system delivers rain, snow and strong winds across Chile’s regions.

  2. 4 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Argentina issues Zonda wind and snow alerts for San Juan and Mendoza provinces

    Argentina's meteorological service warned of Zonda wind in San Juan with gusts up to 70 km/h and heavy snow in Mendoza with up to 60 cm and 100 km/h gusts, urging travel caution across several provinces.

  3. 6 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 9 sources
    Mendoza white wind prompts evacuation of over 200 tourists

    White‑wind in Mendoza forced the evacuation of 200+ tourists from Puente del Inca to Penitentes, while Zonda gusts caused trees down, fires and one injury across the province.

  4. 6 days ago

    [CRIME] 6 sources
    Volunteer firefighters contain Zonda-wind fires in San Juan, Argentina

    Volunteer firefighters halted two Zonda‑wind fires in San Juan, Argentina, prompting school closures and warnings of fines for illegal burning.

Sources

canal13sanjuan.com · diariolaprovinciasj.com · diariondi.com · diariosanrafael.com.ar · eladelantado.com · ellitoral.com.ar · elsolonline.com · elsubmarinojujuy.com.ar · finde.latercera.com · gasprocessing.com · hongkongindependent.com · jornaldebrasilia.com.br · m.lagacetasalta.com.ar · negocios.com · perfil.com · ruralnet.com.ar · tiemposur.com.ar

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history