Dry winter sets stage for hot, dry spring in Chile

Chile has closed another winter under the grip of its long “megadrought,” with rainfall and snow well below average and forecasts pointing to a dry, hot spring and summer ahead.

Between Valparaíso and Puerto Montt, rainfall fell up to 34% below normal, according to Patricio González, agroclimatologist at the University of Talca. Snowpack shortages were even sharper, with deficits ranging from 41% in Valparaíso to 76% in Santiago’s Maipo basin, threatening water reserves for the coming season.

The winter was also marked by extreme frosts, with temperatures dropping to –1.3°C in Santiago, –4.5°C in Talca, and –9.3°C in Chillán. González warned that conditions remain critical for agriculture, especially with projections of a La Niña event from late 2025 into early 2026, which could intensify heat and prolong dryness.

Despite the deficits, reservoirs currently hold between 40% and 80% of capacity, giving farmers some margin. Still, the expert urged growers to use water efficiently and invest in irrigation technology, as spring is expected to bring clear skies, low humidity, and limited rainfall, while summer will likely return to extreme temperatures.

He also cautioned that September remains a “hinge month,” where alternating cold and warm spells and late frosts could damage crops in flowering stages. For Fiestas Patrias, rains may reach Biobío and further south, but forecasts for central Chile remain uncertain.

source: frutasdechile.cl

photo: portaluchile.uchile.cl