Chile Issues Tornadic Cloud Alert for Biobío and La Araucanía

Chile’s weather authority, the Dirección Meteorológica de Chile, issued an advisory on Saturday warning of the probable development of convective clouds with tornadic characteristics over the regions of Biobío and La Araucanía. The notice is in force from the early hours of 5 July through the morning of 6 July and covers coastal areas, coastal mountain ranges and adjoining valleys. The agency said the atmospheric instability could generate localised, intense wind gusts reaching about 80 km/h. Separate alerts remain active for thunderstorms and winds of 50–60 km/h, with peaks up to 80 km/h, in Biobío and the neighbouring Ñuble region. The precaution follows a tornado that struck Puerto Varas in May, clocking winds near 180 km/h, heightening concerns about the recurrence of severe convective events in southern Chile. Authorities advised residents to monitor official bulletins and take preventive measures as the system moves through.