An intense heat wave hits central South America this week amid a dry spell. Mainly affected, Argentina, Uruguay and the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul should watch the thermometers marking temperatures above 40ºC.
According to MetSul Meteorologia, the highest temperatures in Rio Grande do Sul should be recorded in the western region of the state. The Uruguaiana city area could see an escalation of heat with highs of 41ºC and 42ºC in the coming days.
“In Porto Alegre and the region, the heat will be higher at the end of the week and next weekend with marks around or above 40ºC”, points out MetSul.
Record temperatures are expected for the decade in the Uruguayan and Argentine territories. The expectation is that the hottest places in Argentina register between 45ºC and 47ºC. Uruguayan thermometers must be between 41ºC and 43ºC.
“It will be an unusual heat event with a temperature far above the normal climatology of January with maximums of up to 10ºC to 15ºC above historical averages”, explains the meteorology platform.
Heat during dry
The event can be classified as a “composite weather extreme”. “Central South America will experience a powerful heat wave (extreme) in the midst of a severe to severe drought (another extreme) that can lead to fires (extreme consequent)”, states MetSul.
The heat is expected to exacerbate agricultural losses caused by drought, increase the risk of vegetation fires and potentially cause water shortages in some municipalities.
MetSul indicates that in Argentina, for example, there may be an energy supply crisis with power cuts in the capital Buenos Aires due to high demand.
Reference: CNN Brasil
