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Argentina braces for more frigid temperatures

By the CNN Wire Staff
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Forecasters say cold weather will continue Monday
  • State media: Eight people have died during the cold snap
  • Buenos Aires records its lowest temperatures in a decade
  • Government restricts industry use of gas so homes have enough for heat

(CNN) -- A weeklong cold snap that has killed at least eight people in Argentina is expected to continue Monday, state media reported.

Argentina's National Weather Service says the blustery weather will continue in the nation's capital of Buenos Aires, with heavy winds, intense rains and frigid temperatures expected, state-run news agency Telam reported.

Temperatures dipped below zero degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) in 10 of the country's provinces Sunday, according to Telam.

The news agency reported that at least eight people have died during the cold snap in the past several days. It has also caused flight cancellations and delays at the Buenos Aires airport.

Half the country is covered in snow and the capital recorded its lowest temperatures in a decade on Friday, Telam reported.

Mercury fell to -1.5 degrees Celsius (29 degrees Fahrenheit) in the capital, close to the coldest temperature ever recorded there.

The cold snap is causing record demands on gas and electricity, the Planning Ministry said. It has put restrictions on business and industry use of gas to ensure homes have enough, the agency reported.

CNN's Gustavo Valdes contributed to this report.