The Chilean capital of Santiago was hit with a coldsnap yesterday and snow levels unseen since 2007, but there are yet to be any reports of damaged crops.

The phenomena was a result of a mass of polar air that led to temperature falls and snow in various districts of Region Metropolitana, including Las Condes, La Florida, Puente Alto and Vitacura.

Experts say this type of coldsnap is normal and was also registered in July 1971 and October 1991. Yesterday's cold weather was concentrated in the country's V (Valparaiso) and VI (O'Higgins) regions.

The Chilean Meteorology Directorate said the bad weather mainly affected valleys, mountain foothills and the Andes themsleves in the V region, with sectors such as Petorca, San Felipe, Quilpué, Hijuelas and Casablanca registering precipitation between 9am and 2pm.

Meteorologist Luis Salazar said 5mm of water was recorded generally but some zones registered 10mm. The directorate has also issued a freeze warning for today, with low morning temperatures expected from the IV (Coquimbo) region all the way south to the IX (Araucania) region.

Frosts are expected to continue through to Aug. 21 in the VIII (Biobio) and IX regions, while the IV and VII (Maule) regions are expected to record frosts from Aug. 20-23.

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