South America Snow Forecast: Up to 25 cm through Monday

The South America snow forecast keeps an ongoing cold pulse moving from the high central Andes into northern Patagonia through Friday, with 5-25 cm forecast across the region before Cerro Castor reloads Sunday and Monday. Cold temperatures favor a meaningful refresh where lift-served terrain is operating, while wind is the main constraint in the far south.

Portillo carries the strongest remaining total through Friday at 19-25 cm, while El Colorado, Valle Nevado, and La Parva should collect 11-17 cm. The current Santiago Andes snow eases Wednesday evening, then returns Thursday afternoon and runs into Friday evening. Guidance agrees on the two-pulse timing and keeps snow levels near 1,400-2,000 meters while precipitation is falling, safely below resort bases. Temperatures fall from around −3°C toward −9°C, and moderate-to-light ratios should produce cold, relatively dry snow, with Valle Nevado favored for the lightest texture.

Farther south, the wave from Thursday night into Saturday favors 5-16 cm from Nevados de Chillán through Corralco, Chapelco, Cerro Catedral, and Las Leñas. Snow levels begin around 1,200-1,900 meters, then fall toward 400-1,100 meters Friday, putting most precipitation over those mountains into snow. Nevados de Chillán has the highest upside, but guidance spreads more on amounts there and at Cerro Catedral than it does on timing. The snow should start somewhat dense at lower elevations, then become more moderate as colder air arrives. Thursday gusts near 60 km/h at Corralco could affect upper-mountain plans.

Cerro Castor should finish the confidence period with 14-20 cm through Monday as its ongoing snow tapers Thursday, pauses Friday and Saturday, then reloads Sunday. The first Sunday burst may be dense near 0°C with snow levels briefly near 500 meters, but snow turns drier Sunday night and Monday as temperatures fall toward −5°C and the snow level drops to the valley floor. Gusts around 70 km/h through Thursday are the clearest lift concern. The official tracker showed lifts closed after Wednesday’s operating window, so confirm Thursday’s opening before chasing. Forecast detail is dependable through Monday. After that, guidance becomes inconsistent, offering only a weak midweek chance before splitting sharply on whether a larger storm reaches the central and northern Andes the following weekend or early the next week.