Polar Wave in Mendoza: Classes Suspended for a Second Consecutive Day

The Argentine province of Mendoza, located at the foothills of the Andes mountains and famous worldwide for its wine production, is currently under the effects of an intense polar wave. This weather event has brought continuous snowfall, heavy rain, winds reaching 100 km/h (about 62 mph), and temperatures dropping to -5°C (23°F). Faced with this challenging scenario, the local educational authority, the General Directorate of Schools (Dirección General de Escuelas or DGE), has decided to suspend in-person classes for Friday, July 3, 2026, across all educational levels and modalities in the province, extending the measure throughout the entire school day.

A Last-Minute Decision to Ensure Safety

The storm, described by Argentina's National Meteorological Service (SMN) as a "historic deluge," has severely complicated road conditions across the region. During the morning of Thursday, July 2, the suspension announcement was made at 6:48 AM, which caused some complaints among parents who had already sent their children to school.

How Educational Activities Will Continue

Although there will be no in-person classes, educational activities will not stop. The DGE confirmed that classes will be held virtually through the province's official online platform, Escuela Digital Mendoza. This measure aims to guarantee the right to education without putting the educational community at risk during the extreme cold.

Areas Affected by the Storm

The SMN has issued an orange alert (the second-highest warning level in the country) for several Mendoza localities experiencing heavy snow and rain, including:

• Junín and Rivadavia (departments in the east of the province)
• Valleys of Luján de Cuyo, San Carlos, Tunuyán, and Tupungato (key wine-producing regions in the Andes foothills)
• General Alvear (southern agricultural hub)
• Lowlands of San Rafael

Winter Holidays on the Horizon

For students in Mendoza, this Friday, July 3, marks the last school day before the winter recess. The winter holidays will begin on Monday, July 6, and will last until Friday, July 17, according to the 2026 school calendar. Therefore, if the weather continues to complicate the return to classrooms, students will only resume in-person activities on Monday, July 20.

Sources: Diario Uno, Prensa Mendoza, Los Andes