If you weren't looking at the calendar, you'd think it was the middle of Winter in the southern Andes. The first of several strong storms brought accumulating snow across much of the region this week, and that is expected to continue this weekend and into next week. While the resorts won't open for a while, backcountry outfits like Mallin Alto are already skiing and riding via snowmobile. Below are some pictures from across the southern Andes over the last week. 

It's always nice to see the mountains covered in snow in the fall, even if it won't stick around until the start of the season. We'll worry about weak layers down the road if we have to, but for now, let's get excited for another round of snow. 

Two additional strong storms will keep the snow flying for the next five days, especially in the central and southern regions. Both are cold storms with well below normal temperatures. The deepest totals will be in the Chilean mountains, at resorts like Nevados de Chillan, Antillanca, Pucon, and Corralco, but resorts like Caviahue, Cerro Bayo, and Cerro Catedral should do well also. Snow levels should remain below the bases for most resorts for both of these storms,

Below is the latest snow forecast from the American model through the middle of next week.

Snow totals of 40 - 80 + cm from the first storm and 40 - 80 + cm from the second storm are expected in the central and southern regions. Farther north, at resorts like Portillo and Valle Nevado, snow totals will be much less. 

A short break is expected later next week, but the models show another storm arriving next weekend. More snow is possible during that time.

Thanks for reading the South America Daily Snow!

Next update around the middle of next week.

Luke Stone
Forecaster, OpenSnow