2024-01-30 18:09:40
The map with the countries that are affected in Latin America by the heat wave
Chile faces forest fires and records record temperatures, while Argentina issues extreme heat alerts in eight provinces. In Brazil, thermometers in Rio de Janeiro rise above 42°C and Ecuador predicts similar weather until February
From Argentina to Colombia, South America is experiencing the devastating impacts of a heat wave that has triggered severe forest fires, threatening the health of communities and affecting ecosystems. The situation is worsening with the presence of fires even in capitals like Bogotá, as the effects of the El Niño phenomenon intensify.
By Infobae
Jairo Guerrero, Water Resources Management officer at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), explains that the heat wave is mainly due to the El Niño phenomenon, characterized by an increase in temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, aggravated by the change climate. Meteorologist Bárbara Tapia Cortés of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) points out that the summer season in South America, together with El Niño present since May 2023, contribute to extreme high temperature events.
High temperatures and favorable weather conditions favor the proliferation of forest fires, leading Colombia to declare a natural disaster and request international help. Chile, facing forest fires, registers record temperatures, while Argentina issues alerts for extreme temperatures in eight provinces. In Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is experiencing temperatures above 42 degrees Celsius, and Ecuador is forecasting high temperatures until February.
The consequences of this heat wave are alarming. Colombia declares emergency due to air quality degradation and seeks international assistance. The El Niño phenomenon is expected to persist at least until April. In fact, there is a 60% probability that this climate event will last until the season that covers the months of April to June 2024.
The Ideam report for the weekend of January 27 in Bogotá is dry weather; However, “the increase in cloudiness can bring some light precipitation in the north and northwest of the city,” Sierra mentioned.
In Chile, the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) issues alerts for forest fires, and Argentina warns of extreme temperatures in eight provinces.
“The heat wave, which is beginning to affect the province of Buenos Aires and which has been affecting part of Patagonia and the central west of Argentina for several days (Mendoza, Neuquén, La Pampa, Río Negro and part of Chubut ) has to do with an anticyclone that is located off the coast of the province of Buenos Aires and the coast of Uruguay and that has been stagnant, in a semi-stationary state since the beginning of last week. And apparently it will continue to be there over the Atlantic for much of this week and next, preventing the cold fronts from the extreme south of Argentina from arriving.” This is how meteorologist Sergio Jalfin began to explain to Infobae the reason for the high temperatures that prevail throughout the country.
The graduate in atmospheric sciences from the Center for Renewable Natural Resources of the Semi-arid Zone (CERZOS) of the Conicet Carlos Zotelo agreed with him, who elaborated: “Atmospheric systems are centers of high and low pressure that in the middle latitudes move from east to west in the form of waves. Under normal conditions, the pressure rises for seven days, and drops for the next seven. That’s the theory, but sometimes these systems are blocked and that prevents their normal movement, which makes it impossible for the one behind to advance, since they cannot occupy the space.”
Brazilian cities such as Rio de Janeiro report thermal sensations close to 60°C, and Ecuador expects high temperatures in several provinces.
For its part, Uruguay will face a heat wave starting next Thursday, February 1, with maximums of between 34 degrees Celsius and 38 degrees Celsius, which in principle will last until Sunday, February 4.
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