The surazo and friajes: southern cold fronts in Bolivia

In the eastern lowlands of Bolivia — Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando — the climate is warm almost all year, but from one day to the next the surazo can arrive: a cold front advancing from the south.

What the surazo is

It is an inflow of cold southern air (also called a friaje) that drops the temperature by several degrees within hours, with southerly wind, overcast skies and rain. After days of heat, the contrast is sharply felt.

How to anticipate it

Watch the wind direction and the temperature trend in the forecast: a shift to the south with a falling temperature signals the surazo. Bundle up — the cold can last several days before the tropical heat returns.