Heavy Snow in Argentine Andes Shuts Key Chile Border Crossing and Strands 1,000 Trucks

Andes Snowstorm Shuts Argentina-Chile Border Crossings

Heavy snowfall in Argentina's Andes has forced the closure of multiple border crossings with Chile, stranded nearly 1,000 trucks, prompted the evacuation of over 100 people and disrupted flights, while severe thunderstorms triggered flash flood warnings across parts of New York, Pennsylvania and Arizona. [1] Over three metres of snow fell in Argentina's Mendoza Province, closing the Puente del Inca border crossing into Chile and leading to the evacuation of around 110 people since snow began more than a week ago. [1] The key entry point into Argentina's neighbour is located in the western Mendoza Province, from where around 110 people have been evacuated since the snow began falling over a week ago. [1] Heavy snowfall in the Argentine Andes has forced over 100 people to evacuate and stalled almost 1,000 trucks on snow-covered roads, while flights were rerouted. [1] Truck drivers said they had spent up to eight days stuck in one spot after over three metres of snowfall blocked roads and shuttered the Puente del Inca border crossing into Chile. [1]

Drivers Endure Days Stranded as Fresh Storm Approaches

In the town of Uspallata, 90 kilometres away from Puente del Inca, almost 1,000 trucks were waiting for conditions to clear so they could cross into Chile with their cargo. [1] Almost 1,000 trucks are stalled in Uspallata, with some drivers stuck for up to eight days; full clearance could take five or six days after reopening. [1] "We've been here for eight days now. It's a bit cold, but we're handling it well, always smiling," said Brazilian driver Fernando Roberto. [1] It will take "five or six" days for the trucks to move along, even after the border crossing reopens, Mendoza's Deputy Logistics Minister Alberto Marengo told a press conference. [1] The bad weather broke at the weekend, deputy local police commissioner Óscar Fernández said, but the region was bracing for another incoming storm. [1] "We took advantage of a small window of good weather to reach the [border] outpost" of Puente del Inca, he told AFP, adding that "we have almost two metres [of snow] on top of the roofs." [1] With a fresh storm arriving on Wednesday, he said, "conditions in the high mountains could become difficult again." [1] A fresh storm is expected Wednesday, with nearly two metres of snow already on roofs and conditions in high mountains likely to worsen. [1]

Flight Disruptions and Additional Provincial Road Closures

Several more border crossings closed in the provinces of Catamarca, Río Negro, Neuquén and Chubut. [1] Additional border crossings closed in Catamarca, Río Negro, Neuquén and Chubut provinces; Bariloche airport shut with flights rerouted to Neuquén. [1] The airport in Río Negro's tourist town of Bariloche closed due to the storm on Monday, and hundreds of passengers had their flights rerouted to the nearby Neuquén Province. [1] The airport in Río Negro's tourist town of Bariloche closed due to the storm on Monday, and hundreds of passengers had their flights rerouted to the nearby Neuquén Province. [1]

Severe Thunderstorm and High Wind Threat in Arizona

Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for south-central Santa Cruz County, Arizona, with 60 mph wind gusts threatening damage to roofs, siding and trees. [2] The National Weather Service in Tucson has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for South Central Santa Cruz County in southeastern Arizona until 1215 AM MST. [2] At 1133 PM MST, a severe thunderstorm was located over Nogales International Airport, moving west at 20 mph. [2] HAZARD includes 60 mph wind gusts with radar indicated source. [2] IMPACT expects damage to roofs, siding, and trees. [2] Locations impacted include Nogales, Rio Rico, Nogales International Airport, and Patagonia Lake. [2]

Flash Flooding Strikes Western New York Counties

Flash flood warnings were issued overnight for central Niagara County and southeastern Cattaraugus County in western New York, and for parts of Adams, Cumberland and Franklin counties in south-central Pennsylvania, after 1–3 inches of rain fell with additional rain possible. [3] [4] The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Central Niagara County in western New York until 630 AM EDT. [3] At 226 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. [3] Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have fallen with additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches possible in the warned area. [3] Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. [3] The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Southeastern Cattaraugus County in western New York until 530 AM EDT. [4] At 223 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. [4] Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have fallen with additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1.5 inches possible in the warned area. [4] Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. [4]

Pennsylvania Counties Also Under Flash Flood Warning

The National Weather Service in State College has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Northwestern Adams County in south central Pennsylvania, Southwestern Cumberland County in south central Pennsylvania, and East Central Franklin County in south central Pennsylvania until 515 AM EDT. [5] At 220 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. [5] Between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of rain have fallen with the expected rainfall rate of 1 to 2 inches in 1 hour. [5]

What to watch next: A fresh storm arriving on Wednesday could make conditions in the high mountains difficult again while additional rainfall amounts remain possible in the warned areas of western New York and south-central Pennsylvania.