South America Battling Unusual Heatwave in Midwinter
Several parts of South America are currently experiencing an unseasonal heatwave, leaving scientists concerned about the future of extreme weather events. Despite it being midwinter in the region, countries such as Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Bolivia, and southern Brazil have been sizzling under scorching temperatures.
Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, recently recorded its hottest August 1st in 117 years. Cindy Fernández, a spokesperson for the weather bureau, described the country as facing “a year of extreme heat.” The central region, including Buenos Aires, has witnessed temperatures that have surpassed records, with northern regions bordering Bolivia and Paraguay reaching between 37°C (98.6°F) and 39°C (102.2°F) this week.
Chile has experienced even higher temperatures, with some areas reaching nearly 40°C. La Tercera, a Santiago-based newspaper, deemed July as the hottest month on record globally. Experts from the University of Santiago explained that Chile is witnessing the disappearance of its winter season due to rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns.
Other countries in the region, such as Paraguay, Bolivia, and southern Brazil, are also grappling with exceptionally high temperatures. Extreme weather-watcher Maximiliano Herrera described the situation as “brutal,” with temperatures reaching almost 39°C. Herrera warned that relief might not arrive for at least five more days, and temperatures in the 40s cannot be ruled out. Residents of Paraguay have noticed the significant change in their winters, with temperatures now averaging 30°C-35°C (86°F-95°F).
Experts attribute the South American heatwave to the weather system El Niño and human-induced climate change. The situation comes as politicians prepare to gather in Belém, Brazil, for a two-day summit on the future of the Amazon rainforest and the climate emergency. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized the urgency of tackling climate change, stating that it should be a concern for everyone. Lula plans to introduce climate-related topics into the national curriculum to educate children about the dangers of the climate crisis.
Marcio Astrini, the executive secretary of the Climate Observatory group, believes the focus on extreme weather will aid Lula in repositioning Brazil as an environmental leader after four years under the climate-denying President Jair Bolsonaro. The summit provides the perfect platform for Brazil to demonstrate its commitment to finding solutions for environmental challenges.
The Amazon region, where the forum will take place, is expected to face an increasing impact from El Niño in the coming months, including a higher risk of forest fires and drought. While the heatwave in Buenos Aires has subsided, record winter temperatures continue in northern provinces, making this year the hottest on record. Even Argentina’s southern region of Patagonia, which extends close to the Antarctic Ocean, has seen a 1.5-degree increase in summer temperatures compared to 60 years ago.
The alarming heatwave serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of climate change, urging countries to work collectively towards finding sustainable solutions to mitigate its effects.