Parts of #SouthAmerica are sweltering under a 'fierce' #heatwave and it’s the middle of winter

The "unbelievable" mid-winter heat is "rewriting all climatic books," according to one expert, as the highest ever temperatures for this time of year have been recorded for many locations, with readings topping 100 F.

By Sophie Tanno, CNN

Published Aug 4, 2023 9:51 AM EDT

"Parts of South America are sweltering under abnormally hot temperatures – despite being in the depths of winter – as the combination of human-caused #ClimateChange and the arrival of #ElNiño feed into extreme winter heat.

"Southern Cone countries including Chile and #Argentina have experienced summer-like conditions as a heat wave, beginning in July, pushed temperatures higher than 38 degrees Celsius (100 Fahrenheit) in some places – dramatically above average for this time of year.

"Maximiliano Herrera, a climatologist who tracks extreme temperatures across the globe, told CNN that South America is experiencing a 'fierce winter heat wave.'

While such heat waves are not unheard of for the continent, this one has 'exceptional characteristics for its area, duration, intensity and being early August,' Herrara said, adding 'dozens of stations are recording their highest ever temperatures in the first half of August.'

"August in the Southern Hemisphere is equivalent to February in the Northern Hemisphere.

"Chile’s environment minister, Maisa Rojas, said that the world has been experiencing extreme events for weeks. 'Yesterday it was the turn of South America and #Chile,' she said in a Twitter post Wednesday.

"In the mountainous Chilean #Andes region, temperatures climbed to 38.9 degrees Celsius (102 Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, according to Herrara, who described the event as 'unbelievable' for mid-winter and 'rewriting all climatic books.'"