Several areas of Chile’s Santiago Metropolitan Region experienced rare snowfall on Tuesday (May 7).

According to local media, snow hit parts of communes such as Lo Barnechea, Las Condes, Vitacura, Puente Alto, La Reina and Pirque.

Authorities have advised locals in the Santiago Metropolitan Region to dress accordingly and drive carefully. According to data from the Office of the Superintendent of Electricity and Fuels, 225,000 people are currently experiencing electricity supply issues.

While snow in the capital is unusual, it is not unheard of. In July 2020, snow appeared in the eastern part of the capital, specifically in the commune of Lo Barnechea. In July 2017, Santiago residents woke up to rare snowfall that blanketed the capital and caused widespread power outages.

Meanwhile, a barrage of severe storms swept through various Midwestern states on Tuesday (May 7), unleashing heavy rain, strong gusts of wind, and tornadoes across the region.

Local media outlets reported that multiple tornadoes touched down in southern Michigan throughout the day, causing damage to several buildings. Thankfully, there were no casualties reported.

This wave of severe weather came right after a series of tornadoes hit Oklahoma the previous day, resulting in at least one fatality and five injuries. Reports from local media described extensive damage to homes and trees uprooted in the northeastern part of the state.

(Reuters)