This is a link to a summary and pictures (I was surprised by the pictures which compare their 2007 winter to past events.) that a South American meteorologist Eugenio Hackbart has written concerning South America’s 2007 record cold winter. I would expect based on the solar modulation of cloud mechanisms that the next South American winter (starting May, 2008 will be more extreme.)

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&ct=res...q-g-18_pvGNBZQ

Comment:
Eugenio Hackbart is the Chief Meteorologist for MetSul Weather Center, a private weather center located in Sao Leopoldo, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. His opinions are published in Portuguese at the site: www.metsul.com