SnowBrains Forecast: South America’s Central Andes Favor a 15-25 cm Refresh

The South America snow forecast favors a central Andes refresh Monday into Tuesday, while the southern mountains stay mostly dry and mild. Valle Nevado offers the clearest opportunity to combine fresh snow with weekday skiing, with elevation and falling temperatures favoring better snow quality later in the storm.

Saturday’s ongoing central Andes snowfall tapers overnight, followed by a mostly dry and warmer Sunday. Sunday afternoon temperatures reach around 3°C at Valle Nevado and 4°C to 5°C around La Parva and El Colorado, making exposed fresh snow heavier. Farther south, Nevados de Chillán, Corralco, Chapelco, Cerro Catedral, and Cerro Castor remain dry through Tuesday, with temperatures generally staying above freezing at their forecast elevations. Operating schedules matter before the next snowfall: La Parva’s extension covers weekends only, while El Colorado’s announced extension ends Sunday, October 25.

Precipitation returns Sunday night into Monday, builds Monday afternoon, and eases through Tuesday, with lingering light showers ending early Wednesday. Guidance broadly agrees on this central Andes refresh, although snowfall amounts and early snow levels show meaningful spread. Snow levels generally start around 2,400 to 2,800 meters, allowing rain or very wet snow on lower terrain, then fall toward 2,000 to 2,200 meters Tuesday morning. Snow starts dense and becomes more moderate as temperatures fall to roughly -2°C to -5°C at the central Chilean forecast elevations Tuesday morning. Valle Nevado leads with 18-25 cm from Saturday evening through early Wednesday, including the remaining showers from the ongoing storm. Its current mountain report shows limited terrain operating, with five lifts, twelve trails, and a 4 p.m. closing time. The forecast snow at Portillo and Las Leñas falls after their respective season closures, confirmed by the Portillo operations report and Las Leñas closing announcement.

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A quieter, warmer stretch is favored from Wednesday through much of the rest of the week. Daytime softening will limit preservation on exposed slopes, while higher shaded terrain should retain the refresh better. Guidance supports renewed precipitation chances in early November, including south-central Chile and northern Patagonia, but substantial spread remains in timing, strength, and coverage. A modest mountain refresh is plausible; a dependable regional powder event is still uncertain.

South America Snow Forecast Resort Totals (Sat Oct 24 – Wed Oct 28)

Valle Nevado – 18-25 cm
El Colorado – 15-21 cm
La Parva – 14-20 cm
Portillo – 13-19 cm
Las Leñas – 4-5 cm
Chapelco – 0 cm
Nevados de Chillán – 0 cm
Corralco – 0 cm
Cerro Catedral – 0 cm
Cerro Castor – 0 cm

SnowBrains Forecast: South America’s Central Andes Favor a 15-25 cm Refresh

South America Snow Forecast Resort Totals (Sat Oct 24 – Wed Oct 28)

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