Snowfall Closes Santiago Metro, Paso Los Libertadores; Up to 40 cm Snow, Class Suspensions, Yellow Alerts Issued

Santiago and other regions in Chile are experiencing notable snowfall and cold weather conditions starting August 21, 2025. The snowfall began in the eastern sectors of Santiago, including La Florida, Lo Barnechea, and San José de Maipo, with snow accumulations expected to reach up to 40 cm in some mountainous areas according to Senapred. The snow has led to the closure of several key transit points, including four stations on Santiago's Metro Line 1 and important routes such as Cuesta La Dormida and the Paso Internacional Los Libertadores, which is anticipated to remain closed for several days. These weather conditions have prompted the suspension of classes, power outages in some areas, and traffic restrictions on certain vehicles in Santiago. Authorities have issued yellow alerts for the Los Andes and San Felipe regions. The cold snap is expected to continue through the weekend, with forecasts indicating minimum temperatures could drop to as low as -10ºC, potentially marking Santiago's coldest dawn in 18 years. Despite the disruptions, government officials have made a positive assessment of the rainfall and snowfall, highlighting the benefits for the region. Additionally, the Metro system has begun construction on the new Line 9 this week, though current operations are affected by the weather.