Chile September 2026 Snow: Up to 60 cm

Chile September 2026 snow forecast map — Credit: ECMWF

This South America snow forecast keeps the midweek storm focused on south-central Chile and Las Leñas, with dense snow and strong wind shaping mountain conditions. Compared with Sunday’s outlook, the heaviest expected accumulation has shifted toward Nevados de Chillán and Corralco, while the forecast has eased around Santiago and northern Patagonia. The episode is already underway at Corralco.

Corralco’s ongoing precipitation continues through Thursday, with its strongest wind arriving as snow levels hover near 1,600 to 1,750 meters. Temperatures near and above freezing at the forecast point favor very dense snow, and gusts may approach 100 km/h, leaving exposed slopes wind affected. Nevados de Chillán picks up its main pulse from Wednesday night through early Friday, with snow levels mostly near 1,600 to 2,100 meters and dense snow favored over lighter powder. Nevados de Chillán ended its lift-served season on September 20, so its forecast total describes mountain conditions and base building.

Las Leñas sees its steadiest snow Thursday afternoon into early Friday as snow levels fall from roughly 2,600 meters toward 1,900 meters. That change should improve accumulation lower on the mountain, although the snow remains fairly dense. The models broadly support a substantial hit at Las Leñas and Nevados de Chillán through Friday, but differ more on timing and intensity at Corralco and across northern Patagonia. Showers continuing around Cerro Catedral and Chapelco are lighter in the forecast, and neither has the same dependable fresh-snow signal.

The main storm tapers Friday, with only scattered light precipitation expected Saturday before a quieter stretch. Guidance hints at another organized wave late next week from the central Andes into south-central Chile, but its placement and strength vary too much for a firm snowfall total. Around Santiago, this week’s precipitation looks minor, so existing surfaces will matter more than new snow.