Santiago records first measurable rainfall in nearly 8 months!
Soaking rain fell across Santiago and nearby communities on Tuesday bringing the region its first widespread measurable rainfall since early October 2017.
Rainfall averaged 10-13 mm (0.40-0.50 of an inch) across the city and suburbs while locations at the coast such as San Antonio and Valparaiso recorded more rainfall as shown on the graphic below.
Yearly rainfall in Santiago is around 340 mm (13.4 inches); however, roughly 80-90 percent of that rain falls from May into September.
While it is not uncommon for Santiago to record only sparse precipitation during the drier summer months, a nearly eight-month period without widespread measurable rainfall is significant because there will now be a heightened concern for near- to above-normal rainfall during the winter months.
Unfortunately, AccuWeather long-range meteorologists are expecting below-normal rainfall over the next three months, during what is typically the wettest time of the year.
There will be an increasing concern for drought as the winter season progresses and the best chance for rain will be during the months of August and September.
Another concern with this dry weather pattern will be lower-than-normal snowfall across the Andes of central Chile which could impact the ski season.
Meanwhile, above-normal rain and snowfall are forecast in southern Chile as storms tend to track farther south throughout the winter months.
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