"The monkey whistled" at the end of the year in Cuba, and January starts with unusually cold temperatures

The end of the year in Cuba was marked by a notable drop in temperatures, and January 2026 began with intense cold in many areas of the country, according to the Meteorological Institute (INSMET) in its Meteorological Note No. 1, issued on January 1 at 11:00 a.m.

According to the Forecast Center of INSMET, following the passage of the fourth cold front of the current winter season, a migratory anticyclone of continental origin began to influence the national territory, accompanied by a mass of colder, drier, and more stable air.

During the early morning hours, this system combined with weak winds and sparse cloud cover, conditions that favored nighttime radiation processes, resulting in a significant drop in minimum temperatures, particularly in inland areas.

Temperatures below 10 °C in several provinces

The agency specified that in areas between Matanzas and Camagüey, the early morning was remarkably cold, with 10 meteorological stations recording minimum temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius.

In the rest of the country, the minimum temperatures ranged from 12 to 15 °C, with higher values in the eastern region and coastal areas.

Among the most significant records (excluding mountain stations) are:

Aguada de Pasajeros (Cienfuegos): 5.4 °C

Santo Domingo (Villa Clara): 6.6 °C

Júcaro (Ciego de Ávila): 8.4 °C

Ciego de Ávila (Ciego de Ávila): 8.8 °C

Jagüey Grande (Matanzas): 8.8 °C

Cienfuegos: 9.0 °C

Sancti Spíritus: 9.6 °C

Sagua la Grande (Villa Clara): 9.8 °C

La Piedrita (Villa Clara): 10.0 °C

El Jíbaro (Sancti Spíritus): 10.0 °C

A January that begins with cold

The low temperatures surprised many Cubans in the early hours of New Year's Day, confirming that, as the popular saying goes, “the monkey whistled” just as 2025 came to a close, with a January that begins with an unusually wintry atmosphere for the country.

The INSMET does not rule out that in the coming days the influence of cold air masses will continue, advising to pay attention to the upcoming weather reports, especially in inland areas.