Cristo Redentor Pass: Why it remains closed despite improved weather

The Cristo Redentor Pass in Mendoza was closed last Thursday due to the forecast of heavy snowfall in the high mountains . The coordination of the international system, which connects Argentina with Chile via the most important pass with that country, evaluates the conditions daily to make new decisions or maintain the one already made.

In this context, despite an improvement in weather conditions , the decision was made to keep it closed. This comes during a long weekend for Argentines, as Monday is a holiday due to the postponement of the June 17 holiday commemorating the passing of General Martín Miguel de Güemes for tourism purposes.

"Having concluded the meeting, and based on the climatic history for the high mountains, with a gap in good weather, this is less than 12 hours, and, in accordance with the agreements between both countries, the conditions are not in place to enable the Cristo Redentor integrated system," the coordination reported.

He emphasized that this is a preventive measure that will prevent two-way traffic for all types of vehicles.

The international crossing to Chile is enabled

To support this, he noted that the National Meteorological Service issued a warning for snowfall in the high mountains, wind, and low temperatures.

Furthermore, and as had already been anticipated , these conditions could last until Tuesday, June 17 inclusive .

In this context, the coordination team warns that this situation would affect safe transit, and therefore, as a precautionary measure, it has been decided to keep it closed.

Last week, it was anticipated that conditions in the high mountains would worsen, with a high chance of a probe on the plains. Therefore, last Thursday, the decision was made to close traffic in both directions, and it was estimated that this could be a long-term closure.

Authorities reported that, as is typical, the reopening is evaluated daily based on weather conditions and the status of the international route.

Because of this and the possibility of a prolonged outage, transporters and tourists have been asked not to access the high mountain area.

Mid-morning temperatures varied by area but were noticeably low, while they also dropped in the plains.

• Uspallata: -08°C
• Punta de Vaca: -19°C
• Puente del Inca: - 22°C
• The Caves: -23°C

Traffic is enabled internally up to the Tunnel Mouth , but drivers are asked to exercise maximum caution due to the low temperatures causing ice formation in shaded areas.

It should be noted that the El Pehuenche Pass is also closed.