More than half of Argentina endured temperatures above 30 degrees this noon and both the city of Buenos Aires and different towns in the center of the country are at the gates of a new heat wave, according to data from the National Meteorological Service (SMN). which provides for a low probability of isolated and little abundant rains just for Saturday in the Buenos Aires district.
After noon, the ranking of temperatures that the agency updates every hour showed that 51 of the 93 weather stations that reported data recorded more than 30 degrees, with the Formosa town of Las Lomitas heading the list, with 38.2º.
It is followed by the Santa Fe towns of Rosario (37°C), Sunchales (36.9°) and Rafaela (36.8°).
For the city of Buenos Aires today a maximum of 36 ° is expected.
“Here we are still far from the heat wave because yesterday’s temperatures did not reach the necessary thresholds, so even though it was hot we did not add any days,” Cindy Fernández from the SMN told Télam.
For a heat wave to occur for three consecutive days, the minimum cannot be less than 22.3° and the maximum must be greater than 32.3°.
“Today we could add the first day that meets the thresholds and for the next few days the forecast temperatures are practically those of those thresholds if the forecast marks are reached; then we would enter a heat wave and that is why we are on yellow alert for extreme temperatures”he added.
Fernández explained that “there are no areas under a heat wave at the country level, but there are some cities in the center that today are beginning to add days” that fall within the heat wave thresholds “and also have a chance that throughout of the week enter” within a phenomenon of this type.
The meteorologist explained that the forecast indicates “a low probability of little abundant and isolated rains” for Saturday morning, extending the dry period.
“We have practically had no rainfall so far in January, despite the fact that it is a month that usually rains and in fact the normal is an average of 135 millimeters,” he said.
So far it rained on January 11 when there was a slight drizzle that accumulated less than a millimeter, he added.
Fernández explained that this “quite extreme period of drought that has affected the entire region for 3 years” is partly attributable to “the La Niña phenomenon that has been active” since 2020.
“This week the Pampas and Cuyo region will have more unstable conditions with sporadic and punctual rainfall, there could be some rain in the central area where the drought is extreme. And today orange alert for strong storms in northern Patagonia “
The lowest temperatures this noon were recorded in the Tierra del Fuego towns of Ushuaia (11.7°) and Río Grande (14.8°), and La Quiaca in Jujuy (16.6°).
Much of the center and north have predicted maximums between 35 and 40 degrees, so the SMN maintains the yellow alert for high temperatures for locations in ten provinces of those regions and included the city of Buenos Aires and the west of the province. of Santa Cruz.
The entire provinces of Santa Fe, Entre Ríos and Tucumán were under a meteorological warning this morning for temperatures that can be dangerous, especially for risk groups, such as boys and girls, people over 65 years of age, with chronic diseases.
The SMN forecasts for this afternoon maximum temperatures of 39 degrees in the city of Santa Fe, 38 in Rosario and 39 in San Javier, while in Entre Ríos 38 degrees are expected in Paraná, 38 in Nogoyá and 37 in Gualeguay.
The temperature alert that implies a “mild to moderate effect on health” also extends to the north and center of the province of Buenos Aires; the center and east of Córdoba; The city of Buenos Aires; and to most of Corrientes and Santiago del Estero, where a maximum of 40 degrees is expected in the provincial capital.
In Patagonia, the only province under alert for extreme temperatures is Santa Cruz, in the mountainous areas and on the plateaus of Lake Buenos Aires and Río Chico, with maximum temperatures close to 25 degrees.
recommendations
The meteorological agency recommended that the population of these areas stay hydrated, not expose themselves to high temperatures, avoid physical activity, and wear light and light-colored clothing.
He also asked to avoid caffeinated, alcoholic or highly sugary drinks, eat vegetables and fruits, avoid large meals and pay attention to babies, children and the elderly.
