Rare snowfall recorded on several roads in Ecuador

Ecuavisa.com
Mon, 06 Sep 2021 20:08 UTC

A heavy snowfall was registered this Monday, September 6 in some localities of the country.

A heavy snowfall was registered this Monday, September 6 in some localities of the country. The unusual meteorological phenomenon caused the closure of roads and the consequent paralysis of the circulation of vehicles.

The Quito-Papallacta road was one of those affected by the snowfall, from 03:05, and for safety reasons it was closed to traffic, reported ECU-911. The same happened on the Guaranda-Ambato highway.

According to the report of the emergency service, several units and relief teams were deployed in order to coordinate traffic control and safety actions and thus avoid any accident.

So far, the authorities have not reported people affected by this climatic situation. They recommend driving with caution to avoid accidents.

From 3 in the morning, travelers were trapped by snowfall on the Quito Papallacta road, according to user reports.

During the next few days several episodes of rains and electrical storms are estimated in various sectors of the country, according to INAMHI, a technical-scientific organization, specialized in Hydrometeorology.

(Translated by Google)

Comment: Some context to illustrate just how unusual this snowy situation is for the country:

Where is there Snowfall in Ecuador?

Conditions are not suitable for snow across most of Ecuador. In the west, the coastal lowlands are generally warm and enjoy year-round average temperatures of 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius). Even on higher ground in the capital city of Quito, the year-round average temperature sits at 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius).

The seasons in Ecuador can broadly be divided into the dry season (between June and September) and the wet season (from October to May). Give the year-round ambient temperatures, snow is almost unheard of across the vast majority of Ecuador's landmass. Even at higher altitudes into the Andes, it is simply too warm for snow to form and fall.

The only glimpse of snow travelers can look forward to is at the peaks of Ecuador's highest mountains. At over 20,000 ft (6,096 km) above sea level, the summits of these mountains are capped with snow throughout the entire year.