The northern part of the country is preparing for a new episode of precipitation that, due to its characteristics, again puts several regions that are still feeling the effects of recent frontal systems under observation. From this Tuesday and throughout Wednesday, the phenomenon will bring rain, snow, wind, and a chance of thunderstorms between Arica and Parinacota and Coquimbo. According to Paula Santibáñez, researcher at the Agrimed Center of the University of Chile, the event is mainly associated with the passage of an upper-level trough, which is generating atmospheric instability conditions. It is worth remembering that the north of the country already suffered from another storm a few weeks ago, with soils that remain fragile, adding complexity to the approaching weather front. The focus will now be once again on the Atacama Region. The Chilean Meteorological Directorate (DMC) issued a warning for intense precipitation with a high zero isotherm for sectors of the precordillera, a condition that will extend from Tuesday morning to Wednesday night. According to information provided by Senapred, the amounts could reach between 40 and 60 millimeters daily in the precordillera, while in the mountain range, up to 80 centimeters of snow are projected during the event. The peculiarity of the system is precisely the height of the zero isotherm. In simple terms, it is the level at which precipitation changes from snow to rain. In Atacama, according to DMC projections, this level will initially be near 4,000 meters and will later descend to around 3,000 meters. This means that some of the precipitation could fall in liquid form in sectors where snow usually accumulates. Archive: La Serena, July 21, 2026. Alejandro Pizarro/Aton Chile The national director of Senapred, Alicia Cebrián, warned that this condition could generate particularly complex consequences in an area characterized by its extreme aridity. “It could activate gullies, generating possible landslides,” said the authority, who called on the population to stay away from gullies and watercourses and to avoid travel to mountainous and pre-mountainous sectors during the event. The regional director of Senapred Atacama, Roberto Muñoz, explained that in the Coastal mountain range, transverse valleys, and pampa sectors, precipitation of up to 20 mm is expected in different periods. The scenario changes towards the precordillera. There, the forecast includes between 40 and 60 mm during Tuesday and a similar amount during Wednesday. The zero isotherm would be located between 4,100 and 3,300 meters during the first day and between 3,300 and 3,500 meters during the second. In the mountain range, meanwhile, the precipitation will be mainly solid. In light of this, Senapred projects about 50 centimeters of snow for Tuesday and another 30 centimeters during Wednesday. Due to this scenario, Senapred maintains a regional yellow alert for a meteorological event in Atacama. Antofagasta and Coquimbo under watch The situation is not limited to Atacama. In Antofagasta, the DMC maintains a warning for moderate to heavy precipitation with a high zero isotherm from Tuesday morning until Tuesday afternoon. Rain, sleet, showers, and the possibility of thunderstorms are expected in sectors such as Calama, San Pedro de Atacama, and Ollagüe. Winds could reach between 60 and 80 km/h. The concern led authorities to adopt preventive measures. The presidential delegate of Antofagasta, Katherine López, announced the suspension of classes for this Tuesday in all educational establishments in the region, both public and private. The measure also extends to sports and tourism activities. In Coquimbo, the focus will be on the Elqui province, especially in the mountain range and pre-mountainous areas north of Vicuña. Senapred maintains a regional yellow alert, and moderate to heavy precipitation is expected over a short period from early Wednesday morning until the afternoon of that day. Alicia Cebrián, national director of Senapred. JONNATHAN OYARZUN/ATON CHILE The regional director of Senapred Coquimbo, Ángelo Hernández, added that gusts of up to 80 km/h are expected in the mountain range. Therefore, he urged avoiding unnecessary travel on mountain and pre-mountain routes, as well as staying away from gullies and streams. Further north, precipitation is also forecast in sectors of Arica and Parinacota and Tarapacá. In areas such as Visviri, Putre, and Colchane, showers of sleet, wind, and the possibility of thunderstorms are expected, while in coastal areas, the phenomenon could mainly present as drizzle. The Ministry of Education confirmed the suspension of classes throughout the Atacama Region for Tuesday and Wednesday. The measure applies to public and private early childhood, primary, and secondary education establishments. The decision adds to the one made in Antofagasta, where classes will be suspended during this Tuesday. Meanwhile, Cebrián detailed that contingency plans are being reviewed, machinery mobilized, critical points identified, shelters prepared, and aid elements are being delivered in advance. The deployment will be especially intense in municipalities already affected by previous frontal systems. The frontal system will even affect one of the country's most important astronomical centers. The head of the Department of Sciences at the ALMA Observatory, Sergio Martín, said they are preparing to face one of the most intense snowfalls of the year, with an estimated accumulation of about half a meter of snow between this Monday and Wednesday night, accompanied by strong gusts of wind that could cause greater accumulations in certain sectors. In light of these conditions, ALMA will temporarily halt all its activities on-site, including astronomical observations, and will position its antennas in safety mode to reduce the risk of damage from wind or snow accumulation on the dishes. Additionally, the teams will prepare to clear access roads to the antennas and assess conditions once the frontal system passes, with the aim of resuming observations as soon as possible. According to Martín, paradoxically, the best conditions for observing the sky usually occur immediately after a snowstorm. While the north faces the upper-level trough, the central-southern part of the country will have a different weather scenario. For this Thursday, a new frontal system is projected to enter from Valparaíso southward, with showers in the Metropolitan Region and increased activity in Ñuble and Biobío. This phenomenon could extend to the south of Los Lagos.