Meteorological expert Jean Suriel has documented an unprecedented climatic shift in the Dominican Republic’s high-altitude Valle Nuevo region, where severe frost conditions have persisted for two consecutive days. This meteorological phenomenon signals the commencement of an extended cold period predicted to continue through mid-April 2026 across the nation’s mountainous territories.
According to Suriel’s detailed social media analysis published via X, temperature readings revealed a dramatic plunge to -0.5°C on Tuesday morning, following the previous day’s measurement of 0.2°C. The combination of low temperatures and wind conditions created a biting wind chill factor of -2°C, substantially amplifying the cold experience for the region.
The extreme conditions have transformed the landscape through two distinct cryogenic phenomena: frost formation from frozen dew droplets coating vegetation, and cencellada—the rare occurrence of frozen fog crystals accumulating on surfaces. These conditions result from the synergistic effect of the season’s 14th frontal system colliding with a dense polar air mass currently positioned over the northern Caribbean basin.
Suriel’s analysis indicates that persistent Atlantic winds are driving this Arctic air mass deeper into Dominican territory than typically observed, creating atypical thermal patterns for the region. The early intensity and duration of these frost events suggest an unusually prolonged cold phase that could have significant implications for agriculture, ecosystems, and local communities in elevated areas throughout the Dominican Republic.