One degree below zero makes for lowest temperature in Santiago

SANTIAGO.- One degree below zero (Celsius) was the lowest temperature reported this morning in Santiago according to measurements taken by the Meteorological Department of Chile.

The extreme low was registered at the Pudahuel weather station at 7:14 AM.  Nevertheless, in Quinta Normal, which is where the official Santiago temperature is taken, the thermometer read 0 degrees Celsius at 7:45 AM.

The chief on duty at the Meteorological Department of Chile, Victoria Riquelme, warned that the lowest temperatures are usually reported in areas outside of the urban part of Santiago, such as Colina or Pirque, where the temperature is usually three or four degrees below that in Quinta Normal.

The wave of cold weather is expected to continue through tomorrow and, according to the forecast given by the Meteorological Department, the low will be close to zero degrees Celsius, while the high will reach 16 degrees Celsius.

Rainfall has not been predicted until at least Monday, when the forecast predicts cloud-cover during the day.