Record temperatures of more than 40°C hit Argentina's Patagonia, a usually cold and windy desert region in the far south of the country, the National Meteorological Service (SMN) announced on Friday.
In the heart of the southern summer, the highest temperatures are generally recorded in the central and northern regions of the immense southern cone country.
But it was in Patagonia that it was the hottest during the third week of January, with a record of 42.6°C recorded in Trelew, capital of Chubut, and 36.4°C in Bariloche (Rio Negro), winter resort in the foothills of the Andes.
The previous records were respectively recorded for Trelew in 2017 (42.2°C) and Bariloche in 2019 (35.4°C).
Monthly records were also recorded with 37.4°C in El Bolson (Rio Negro) compared to 36.9°C in 1999, and 34.7°C in Esquel (Chubut) compared to 33.8°C in 1979
. This has nothing to do with the El Niño phenomenon, which affects this region with increased precipitation, greater humidity in the lower layers and greater cloudiness, which moderates temperatures
,” explained to AFP meteorologist Matias Reinoso.
But these record temperatures in Patagonia are linked to a high pressure area positioned in the center of the country, which favors the advance of hot air towards the south, explained the SMN forecaster.
Fire alerts
Fire alerts and prevention messages to the population (due to persistent high temperatures at night) have been issued by the authorities.
This heat peak in Patagonia is expected to persist throughout next week and extend north, into the central and most populous provinces of Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Cordoba and Entre Rios, according to SMN forecasts.