MOSCOW, July 27 (RIA Novosti) - Severe cold weather that has gripped central and southern Argentina for two weeks has already killed about 40 people, the Infobae news website reported on Monday.

According to Argentinean media, "a wave of polar frost" came to Argentina last week and caused "a sensational drop in the temperature to minus 16 degrees Celsius." The average winter temperature in Argentina is about 10 degrees Celsius, ranging from 20 C in the north to 1 C in the south.

Compounding the cold, several southern regions saw heavy snowfalls, including in the south of Buenos Aires province, where there was 40 centimeters of snow for the first time in 50 years.

A representative of voluntary organization "Red Solidaria" said most of the deaths were the result of hypothermia or improper use of heating devices, either by fires or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Juan Carr added that if the necessary measure are not taken, the number of people killed will exceed the number of victims of previous years - winter weather causes the deaths of about 90 people annually in Argentina.

Weather services reported that the cold weather would continue for about a week. Voluntary organizations began dispensing warm clothes and blankets to reduce the number of victims, while local media held contests for best snow photos.

Buenos Aires last saw snow in July 2007, the first time the Argentinean capital, which is situated in subtropical zone with average annual temperature of 15 degrees Celsius, had seen snow since July 27, 1928.