South America Snow Forecast: Up to 1 Meter by Saturday

The South America snow forecast centers on an ongoing storm that tapers through Monday, followed by a broader reload from Tuesday into Saturday with up to about 1 meter possible across the favored high terrain. Las Leñas and Nevados de Chillán carry the greatest accumulation potential, while strong wind and rising snow levels will complicate snow quality and lift operations elsewhere.

The current storm continues across the central Andes on Sunday and lingers farther south into Monday. Snow levels remain below 2,150 meters around the high central Chile resorts, with temperatures near −6°C to −3°C supporting relatively dry upper-mountain snow. Farther south, initially dense snow improves as colder air lowers snow levels toward 700 to 1,000 meters by Monday. Gusts may reach 80 to 100 km/h around Chapelco, Cerro Catedral, Nevados de Chillán and Corralco, making wind holds and heavily redistributed snow likely.

After a short lull, the next system reaches northern Patagonia on Tuesday before the broader surge develops from Wednesday into Friday and lingers around Las Leñas into Saturday. Guidance consistently shows another storm, but the placement and intensity vary considerably. Las Leñas has the clearest heavy-snow signal, with Cerro Catedral and Nevados de Chillán also favored. This wave will be warmer and wetter: snow levels frequently rise to 1,700 to 2,100 meters in the southern Andes and 2,500 to 3,100 meters in central Chile, so lower slopes may see rain or very dense snow while the better accumulation stays higher.

Confidence falls sharply after Saturday because guidance splits between a central-Andes storm near Monday, September 28 and a later push closer to Thursday, October 1. Another colder period is plausible, but its timing and scale are not firm enough for totals. Latest resort updates show full lift availability at Valle Nevado but partial access at El Colorado, La Parva and Nevados de Chillán. Las Leñas has announced Monday, September 28 as its final operating day, and Sunday wind could produce additional holds across the region.