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Category 6 has moved! See the latest from Dr. Jeff Masters and Bob Henson here.Heat Wave in Argentina, Flooding in Brazil
Heat Wave in Argentina, Flooding in Brazil
An intense and prolonged heat wave has enveloped northern Argentina for the past two weeks causing serious power outages and social unrest (this December may go down as the hottest month on record in Buenos Aires--since 1856) while heavy rainfall in southeastern Brazil has resulted in floods that have killed at least 44 so far.
Heat Wave in Argentina
For Buenos Aires, this month is set to be the warmest December on record and perhaps even the warmest single month on record with an average temperature so far of 26.6°C (79.9°F) at the Observatorio site. The previous warmest December was that of 1994 with a 25.5°C (77.9°F) average and the warmest month on record was January 1989 with a 26.6°C (79.9°F) average. Temperature records in Buenos Aires go back to 1856. The city has seen temperatures above 30°C (86°F) everyday since December 13th and over 33°C (91.4°F) since December 22nd. The temperature peaked at 39.0°C (102.2°F) on December 27th (the hottest temperature on record for Buenos Aires is 43.3°C/109.9°F on January 29, 1957 and the average December high is 28.1°C/82.6°F).
Climate data for Buenos Aires for December. With an average temperature of 26.°C (79.9°F) so far, it is possible that this has been the warmest month on record for the city. OGIMET.
The heat wave has prompted the Mayor of Buenos Aires, Mauricio Macri, to declare a state of emergency because of power and water shortages, and the city administration has been ordered to take a day off today (Monday December 30th) to conserve electricity. At least three deaths have so far been attributed to the heat. The heat wave is forecast to break by Wednesday (at least in the Buenos Aires region).
In the northwestern interior of Argentina temperatures over 45°C (113°F) have been observed, with a peak reading of 45.5°C (113.9°F) at Chamical, La Rioja State on December 26th. This is just 1.8°C (3.2°F) shy of the hottest reliably measured temperature in South American history (which was a reading of 47.3°C/117.1°F at Campo Gallo on October 16, 1936—other higher readings such as the oft cited 48.9°C/120°F at Rivadavia on November 12, 1905-were made with questionable instrumentation). The nearby city of Santiago Del Estero has measured 40°C (104°F) or more everyday since December 21st.
The climate table for Santiago Del Estero for the month of December. All but five days of the month have reached 35°C (95°F) or higher. OGIMET.
Flooding in Brazil
According to press reports, torrential rain in Espirito Santo State and Minas Gerais States (north of Rio de Janeiro) has resulted in flash floods and mudslides that have claimed the lives of at least 44. Another 61,000 have been forced to evacuate their homes. Local civil defense officials claimed “the rains to be the worst in 90 years”. Heavy rains have been plaguing portions of Brazil since October and in early December a storm killed 16 and destroyed 200 homes in the city of Lajedinho in Bahia State. This month some exceptional rainfall has fallen. Capelinha, Minas Gerais state has accumulated 930 mm (36.61") of precipitation so far. Aimores, also in Minas Gerais State, has recorded an astonishing 831 mm (32.72") which is 71% of what they normally receive in a year.
The swollen Doce River has overflowed its banks in Vitoria, the capital of Espirito Santo State, flooding portions of the city. So far this December an all-time record monthly rainfall of 714 mm (28.11") has fallen besting the previous wettest month on record of 663 mm (26.10") in November 2008. Precipitation records go back to 1923 here. Photo AFP.
KUDOS: Thanks to Brazilian blog reader 'Loepa' for Buenos Aires monthly tempeature records and Brazilian precipitation records.
Christopher C. Burt
Weather Historian
An intense and prolonged heat wave has enveloped northern Argentina for the past two weeks causing serious power outages and social unrest (this December may go down as the hottest month on record in Buenos Aires--since 1856) while heavy rainfall in southeastern Brazil has resulted in floods that have killed at least 44 so far.
Heat Wave in Argentina
For Buenos Aires, this month is set to be the warmest December on record and perhaps even the warmest single month on record with an average temperature so far of 26.6°C (79.9°F) at the Observatorio site. The previous warmest December was that of 1994 with a 25.5°C (77.9°F) average and the warmest month on record was January 1989 with a 26.6°C (79.9°F) average. Temperature records in Buenos Aires go back to 1856. The city has seen temperatures above 30°C (86°F) everyday since December 13th and over 33°C (91.4°F) since December 22nd. The temperature peaked at 39.0°C (102.2°F) on December 27th (the hottest temperature on record for Buenos Aires is 43.3°C/109.9°F on January 29, 1957 and the average December high is 28.1°C/82.6°F).
Climate data for Buenos Aires for December. With an average temperature of 26.°C (79.9°F) so far, it is possible that this has been the warmest month on record for the city. OGIMET.
The heat wave has prompted the Mayor of Buenos Aires, Mauricio Macri, to declare a state of emergency because of power and water shortages, and the city administration has been ordered to take a day off today (Monday December 30th) to conserve electricity. At least three deaths have so far been attributed to the heat. The heat wave is forecast to break by Wednesday (at least in the Buenos Aires region).
In the northwestern interior of Argentina temperatures over 45°C (113°F) have been observed, with a peak reading of 45.5°C (113.9°F) at Chamical, La Rioja State on December 26th. This is just 1.8°C (3.2°F) shy of the hottest reliably measured temperature in South American history (which was a reading of 47.3°C/117.1°F at Campo Gallo on October 16, 1936—other higher readings such as the oft cited 48.9°C/120°F at Rivadavia on November 12, 1905-were made with questionable instrumentation). The nearby city of Santiago Del Estero has measured 40°C (104°F) or more everyday since December 21st.
The climate table for Santiago Del Estero for the month of December. All but five days of the month have reached 35°C (95°F) or higher. OGIMET.
Flooding in Brazil
According to press reports, torrential rain in Espirito Santo State and Minas Gerais States (north of Rio de Janeiro) has resulted in flash floods and mudslides that have claimed the lives of at least 44. Another 61,000 have been forced to evacuate their homes. Local civil defense officials claimed “the rains to be the worst in 90 years”. Heavy rains have been plaguing portions of Brazil since October and in early December a storm killed 16 and destroyed 200 homes in the city of Lajedinho in Bahia State. This month some exceptional rainfall has fallen. Capelinha, Minas Gerais state has accumulated 930 mm (36.61") of precipitation so far. Aimores, also in Minas Gerais State, has recorded an astonishing 831 mm (32.72") which is 71% of what they normally receive in a year.
The swollen Doce River has overflowed its banks in Vitoria, the capital of Espirito Santo State, flooding portions of the city. So far this December an all-time record monthly rainfall of 714 mm (28.11") has fallen besting the previous wettest month on record of 663 mm (26.10") in November 2008. Precipitation records go back to 1923 here. Photo AFP.
KUDOS: Thanks to Brazilian blog reader 'Loepa' for Buenos Aires monthly tempeature records and Brazilian precipitation records.
Christopher C. Burt
Weather Historian
Extreme Weather Heat Mini Blog Flood
The views of the author are his/her own and do not necessarily represent the position of The Weather Company or its parent, IBM.