Chile experiences snow, but its presence is not uniform across the nation’s extreme geography. The occurrence of snow is highly dependent on two primary factors: latitude, which dictates the overall climate, and altitude, shaped by the towering Andes Mountains. Chile’s remarkable length and varied topography create distinct climatic zones, meaning the likelihood of encountering snow differs drastically from the northern desert regions to the far southern fjords.
Consistent Snowfall in the Andes Range
The Andes Mountains serve as the most reliable source of snow in Chile, with consistent accumulation driven by high altitude. This snowpack is concentrated at elevations above the typical winter freezing level, generally 1,800 to 2,500 meters above sea level in the central region. The sheer height of the mountain range ensures that precipitation falling during the Southern Hemisphere winter (June to October) is primarily snow.
The ski season generally runs within these winter months, with major resorts near the capital, such as Valle Nevado, boasting base elevations over 3,000 meters (9,925 feet). These high-altitude conditions can deliver large snow totals, with some resorts reporting seasonal snowfall exceeding 174 inches in strong years.
Meltwater from the seasonal snowpack is a major source of freshwater for communities and agriculture in the Central and Northern regions. However, central Chile has experienced a prolonged megadrought since 2010, leading to a reduction in average snow cover extent. Climate change models project a potential loss of Andean snowpack by mid-century, posing a significant challenge to the region’s water security.
Low-Elevation Snow in Patagonia and the South
In the deep south, snowfall dynamics shift from being primarily altitude-dependent to being driven by high latitude and proximity to the cold Southern Ocean. The Magallanes region experiences a colder, maritime climate. This results in snow frequently falling and persisting at or near sea level, especially in cities like Punta Arenas.
Average winter temperatures in the coldest months of the Magallanes region hover near the freezing point, often between -1°C and 1°C, making snowfall a common winter occurrence. The influence of the ocean prevents extreme cold but keeps temperatures low enough for precipitation to fall as snow. Unlike the Central Andes, where the snowline is very high, the effective snowline altitude in Patagonia is significantly lower, sometimes below 1,000 meters.
While snow occurs regularly, the coastal location means that snow cover near the immediate coast may not persist for extended periods due to milder oceanic air masses. However, in the interior and on the islands of Tierra del Fuego, the snow can accumulate and last longer, contributing to the region’s rugged and icy landscape.
Snow Events in Central Chile and Major Cities
Snowfall within the Central Valley and coastal cities, including the metropolitan area of Santiago, is an unusual and infrequent meteorological event. The city center of Santiago, situated at a lower elevation in the valley, requires a specific and rare combination of factors to see snow accumulation. These events typically involve an unusually deep incursion of a cold air mass or a polar front that substantially lowers the freezing level into the valley floor.
Historically, the frequency of snow events in the central parts of Santiago has decreased considerably, occurring on average once every eight years since the 1960s. When snow does fall in the city, such as the notable event in 2017, the accumulation is often light, ranging from a dusting to a few centimeters. Due to the relatively mild city temperatures and lower altitude, the snow usually melts quickly, often within a few hours of the precipitation ending.
The coastal city of Valparaíso experiences an even greater rarity of snowfall due to the moderating effect of the Pacific Ocean, which raises the temperatures near the coast. Therefore, for residents of Chile’s major central population centers, the only reliable way to experience snow is by traveling a short distance eastward to the high-altitude ski resorts of the Andes.