28/06/2026 03:49 - Actualidad
The Directorate of Civil Protection of San Juan has issued a meteorological alert for the early morning hours of Sunday, June 28, 2026, warning about the arrival of the Zonda wind affecting nine departments across the province.
The following departments are under alert:
High Mountain Areas
Westerly winds: 50-70 km/h
Gusts: up to 90+ km/h
Rest of the Province
Southerly winds: 30-40 km/h
Gusts: up to 65 km/h
Civil Protection warned that forest fires intensify dramatically with Zonda winds because the warm temperatures help sustain flames and make them harder to extinguish. The fire risk from grassland and trash burning is considered high.
Anyone seen starting fires in high-risk areas should be reported to 911 immediately.
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Available 24 hours
The Zonda wind is a weather phenomenon common in Argentina's Cuyo region, characterized by dry, warm winds that descend from the Andes Mountains. Similar to the Chinook in North America or the Föhn in Europe, it can cause sudden temperature spikes, extremely low humidity, and create perfect conditions for wildfires. Wind speeds can exceed 100 km/h in extreme cases.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
