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From Times Online
July 10, 2007

First snowfall in Buenos Aires since 1918

Surprise snowfall in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires

Philippe Naughton

Last time it happened, it inspired a tango.

Thousands of Argentinians cheered, threw snowballs and walked wide-eyed through the streets of Buenos Aires last night as the city enjoyed its first proper snowfall since 1918.

Wet snow fell for hours in the Argentine capital, leaving behind a mushy, thin white mantle by evening after freezing air from Antarctica collided with a moisture-laden low pressure system.

“Despite all my years, this is the first time I’ve ever seen in snow in Buenos Aires,” said Juana Benitez, an 82-year-old who joined children celebrating in the streets.

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Argentina’s National Weather Service said it was the first major snow in Buenos Aires since June 22, 1918, though sleet or freezing rain have been periodically reported in the 90 years since then.

One man stripped to his shorts to welcome the snow. Children scraped snow of cars and threw snowballs. Motorists honked horns, some with small snowmen on their hoods.

The storm struck on Argentina’s Independence Day holiday, adding to a festive air and prompting radio stations to play an old tango song inspired by the 1918 snowfall - '¿Qué noche!' ('What a night!') - by the composer Agustín Bardi.

“This is the kind of weather phenomenon that comes along every 100 years,” Hector Ciappesoni, a meteorologist, told La Nacion newspaper. “It is very difficult to predict.”

The snow followed a bitter cold snap in late May that saw temperatures fall below freezing, the coldest in 40 years in Buenos Aires. That cold wave contributed to an energy crisis and 23 deaths from exposure. Two more exposure deaths were reported yesterday.

I am from Buenos Aires but i live in the UK since seven years ago. Today, I will Cry for my Argentina because i never saw Buenos Aires dressed in white. The day after i had the news, I rang to my family and they told me: "Yes, is true, snowed in Buenos Aires". I missed it but thanks to good pictures that I found on line, is like to be at home and to feel part of.

Christian, London, UK

Im an argentinian citizen living,at the moment,in the uk.with tears in my eyes I saw yesterdat on the net buenos aires,the place I was born,for the first time with snow..unfortunally I wast there but hopefully to all the`portenos`,enjoy the snow,incluing my familyxxx

andrea and luke, cheltenham, uk

This has got to be global warming.

Pete Balchin, Solicitor, Bristol, uk

Im an argentinian citizen living,at the moment,in the uk.With tears in my eyes I can see`the city I was born for first time in my life with snow!`,unfortunally I m not that privilige to see it live but is good enogh for me to see it on the internet..fear enoght..and a little happiness for all the argentinians living in buenos aires,including my family..xxAndrea and luke,Gloucestershirexx

andrea, cheltenham, uk

It was absolutely amazing, the first time I've ever saw this nature show in my city. Greetings from Buenos Aires!!! Saludos!!
Xenia

Xenia Muchanow, Buenos Aires, Argentina

The Argentines are obviously not producing enough Co2.

luke, cornwall, uk



Hmmmm! Must be due to Global Warming!

Garth Rex, Glendale Heights, USA

I'm 15 years old and this is the most beautifull thing i ever seen!!
It started in the morning, but it became stronger in the night.
I threw a lot of snow balls, made my own snow man and i also made a snow angel!!

Sofia, Longchamps, Bs.As, Argentina

I had dreamed about what would i do in a day like yesterday during years, but snow did really surprise me. I cant believe it, i saw snow in Buenos Aires.

agustin, buenos aires, argentina

i missed the holiday and the snow cos i was working in Montevideo.. i bet ppl had fun

juan, montevideo, uruguay

I live in BS AS and that snowfall was amazing..

Valeria, cordoba, Argentina

Snow in Buenos Aires after 89 years. The first snow my wife has ever seen.
The streets were full of people with camcordas and cameras ect. The kids (and some adults)were running around scaping the snow off cars for the once in a life time snow ball fight they were enjoying.
Sadly i am sure today will bring grim news of more exposure deaths as last night was bitterly cold.

John, Buenos Aires, Argentina

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