South America's cold snap eases and Agatha moves towards Florida

Analysis: first Pacific hurricane of season was made stronger by unusually warm sea surface temperaturesExceptionally cold conditions persisted across South America earlier this week. The conditions were alarming at the northern extent with unseasonably low temperature anomalies recorded as far north as the Tropics.The intensity of the cold brought rare May frosts to low levels across parts of Uruguay and Chile. On 31 May in Santiago, Chile, temperatures fell to -2.1C, the lowest May temperature recorded since 1969, and while this is exceptionally cold for the time of year, many periphery areas outside the main metropolitan city would have been several degrees colder. The cold wave was present across South America for almost a week but is gradually coming to an end through this weekend with warmer conditions returning. However, this event has marked the first shot of polar air for the start of the southern hemisphere winter season. Continue reading...