A new weather front will bring rain to much of Chile at the start of the week. Chile's weather service (Dirección Meteorológica de Chile, DMC) issued an alert for moderate to heavy rain over a short period for the afternoon and night of Tuesday, October 20 in five regions: Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Santiago Metropolitan, O'Higgins and Maule, with totals of up to 35 millimeters in parts of Santiago and Valparaíso, as reported by Megatiempo and El Periodista.
Before that, on Monday, October 19, the DMC forecasts rain in 12 regions, from drizzle in Antofagasta to showers with thunderstorms in central Chile and rain in the south and in Magallanes. It is the second storm episode in a week, after the one described in our story on the October weather front.
How much rain the weather front will bring on Tuesday the 20th
| Region | Coastal range | Valley | Andean foothills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coquimbo | 15 to 25 mm | 20 to 30 mm (foothill valleys) | 20 to 30 mm |
| Valparaíso | 20 to 30 mm | 25 to 35 mm (foothill valleys) | 25 to 35 mm |
| Santiago Metropolitan | 25 to 35 mm | 20 to 30 mm | 25 to 35 mm |
| O'Higgins | 20 to 30 mm | 20 to 30 mm | 25 to 35 mm |
| Maule | No data | 25 to 35 mm | 25 to 35 mm |
The ranges are those in the DMC alert published on October 17 and 18. Rain would be concentrated between Tuesday afternoon and night. La Tercera and other outlets also expect possible showers with hail and thunderstorms, and winds of 25 to 40 km/h in the Santiago region. Forecasts are updated several times a day: check the current warning at meteochile.gob.cl before heading out.
Monday the 19th: rain from north to south
| Area | Forecast for Monday, October 19 |
|---|---|
| Antofagasta | Morning drizzle in Antofagasta, Tocopilla and Mejillones |
| Coquimbo | Rain in Vicuña and Combarbalá, with likely afternoon thunderstorms |
| Valparaíso | Showers and storms in Los Andes, San Felipe, Quillota and Casablanca; rain on the coast |
| Santiago Metropolitan | Clouds and likely lightning from the afternoon, including San José de Maipo |
| O'Higgins to Biobío | Showers with possible storms from afternoon to night |
| Araucanía, Los Ríos and Los Lagos | Rain from the afternoon in Temuco, Pucón, Panguipulli, Puerto Montt, Castro and Futaleufú |
| Magallanes | Light rain in Torres del Paine, Porvenir and Puerto Williams |
| Juan Fernández | Rain all day with possible storms |
The town-by-town detail is the one Megatiempo published on October 18 based on the DMC. Sunday the 18th, by contrast, is only expected to bring light, scattered rain inland in central Chile, about 3 mm in Santiago and Los Andes according to the ECMWF model cited by Meteored.
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See advertising optionsWhat to check if you travel during the weather front
- Mountains and the Andes: the Cajón del Maipo, the Elqui Valley and the foothills of O'Higgins and Maule get the highest totals. Avoid ravine trails on Tuesday and check road conditions; our guide to things to do in Cajón del Maipo helps you pick indoor plans.
- National parks: Conaf often closes protected areas in central Chile as a precaution during rain alerts. Check its social media before you go.
- Border crossings: the Cristo Redentor status can change if it snows at altitude; check pasosfronterizos.gov.cl on the day.
- Flights: thunderstorms can cause occasional delays in Santiago; check your flight status with the airline.
- In the city: heavy rain in a short time can flood underpasses; follow detours.
| Destination | Toughest day | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Cajón del Maipo | Tuesday the 20th, afternoon and night | Indoor plans; avoid trails and ravines |
| Valparaíso and Viña del Mar | Tuesday the 20th | Museums and cafés; take care on steep streets |
| Elqui Valley | Monday the 19th (storms) and Tuesday the 20th | Check inland roads before heading out |
| Pucón and Araucanía | Monday the 19th from the afternoon | Hot springs and short outings |
| Torres del Paine | Monday the 19th, light rain | Waterproof clothing; check the park report |
What is still unknown about the weather front
At the time of writing, the DMC alert did not include the freezing level or snow totals in the Andes, and the national disaster agency Senapred had not declared alerts for the event. We will update this story if warnings change. If you are planning a longer trip, our guide to when to visit Chile explains how spring weather varies by region.
Frequently asked questions
When will it rain in Santiago this week?
Clouds and likely storms are expected from Monday afternoon, October 19, with the heaviest rain on Tuesday afternoon and night, October 20: 20 to 30 mm in the valley and up to 35 mm in the foothills.
Which regions are under a rain alert on Tuesday, October 20?
Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Santiago Metropolitan, O'Higgins and Maule, according to the DMC alert for moderate to heavy rain.
Should I postpone a trip to the mountains?
On Tuesday the 20th it is best to avoid mountain roads and ravine trails, where the highest totals are expected. Check the current DMC warning and road and park conditions before deciding.
