In the early hours of Wednesday, the town of Güines in Mayabeque province reported the lowest temperature in Cuba, with a chilling 8.9°C. This remarkable drop made Güines the coldest spot in the nation during a night when a major failure in the National Electric System left millions of Cubans in darkness.
Meteorologist Frank Fernández Castañeda shared on Facebook that several other areas also experienced unusually cold weather for this time of year. Noteworthy temperatures included Isabel Rubio at 11.8°C, Bauta at 12.0°C, and Jagüey Grande at 12.4°C. Topes de Collantes recorded 12.5°C.
Elsewhere, Aguada de Pasajeros saw temperatures dip to 12.7°C, Santo Domingo and El Jíbaro both reached 13.5°C, while Júcaro hit 14.0°C. San Juan y Martínez and Playa Girón reported a low of 14.1°C, with La Piedra and Cienfuegos slightly warmer at 14.8°C. Meanwhile, temperatures in Sancti Spíritus, Camilo Cienfuegos, and La Palma were 15.4°C, 15.5°C, and 15.7°C, respectively.
The Cuban Institute of Meteorology forecasted cloudy skies for the eastern region on Wednesday, predicting some showers and rain along the northern coast of Holguín and Guantánamo, though more isolated in other areas. According to the report, afternoon highs were expected to range between 24 and 27 degrees Celsius, dropping to between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius at night, with cooler conditions inland and warmer temperatures along the coast.
Last November, Cuba experienced a significant drop in temperatures, particularly in parts of Matanzas, where readings fell below 10 degrees. As per the Institute of Meteorology (INSMET), the early morning was notably cold across the western and central regions, from Matanzas to Ciego de Ávila, with minimum temperatures hovering between 13 and 14 degrees Celsius.
The lowest temperature was recorded at the Indio Hatuey weather station in Matanzas, registering at 9.7°C. The following day, the province of Artemisa experienced an exceptionally cold morning, with temperatures dropping to 12°C, prompting residents to pull out their winter coats. Meteorologist Raydel Ruisánchez reported on Facebook that minimum temperatures in Artemisa ranged between 12 and 15°C.
Understanding Cuba's Unusual Cold Snap
What was the lowest temperature recorded in Cuba?
The lowest temperature recorded was 8.9°C in Güines, Mayabeque province.
How did the National Electric System failure impact Cubans?
The failure of the National Electric System left millions of Cubans without electricity, adding to the challenges of the cold night.
Which regions in Cuba experienced unusually low temperatures?
Regions including Isabel Rubio, Bauta, Jagüey Grande, and Topes de Collantes recorded significantly low temperatures.