The National Meteorology and Hydrology Service of Peru (Senamhi) activated a orange alert for marking drop in night temperature that will affect Lime and to another twelve regions between Tuesday, November 18 and Thursday, November 20. The organization warned that the event will be moderate to strong intensityan unusual situation in the middle of spring that responds to the entry of cold air masses into the central and southern mountains.
According to the forecasts, the high Andean areas will be the most impacted, with minimums down to –14 °C in sectors located above 4,000 meters above sea level in the southern mountains. In the central highlands, night temperatures could drop to –3°C in areas above 3,200 m asl
The alert is in force in the following departments:
- Ancash
- Apurimac
- Arequipa
- Ayacucho
- Cusco
- Huancavelica
- Huanuco
- Junin
- Lime
- Moquegua
- Pasco
- Fist
- Tacna
In these areas, a scenario marked by little cloudiness, intense gusts of wind and increase in daytime temperature. Due to the lack of cloud cover, the heat of the day will dissipate quickly at dusk, causing a sharp drop in temperature that could affect vulnerable populations and productive activities.
Among the additional conditions announced by Senamhi are:
- Winds up to 50 km/hespecially in exposed areas of the mountains.
- Increased sensation of cold during the early morning due to the wind.
- Potential impact in crops, natural pastures and livestock in high Andean areas.
Senamhi detailed the following estimated values for each day of the alert period:
Tuesday, November 18
- 2 °C in areas above 2 500 m asl
- –1 °C in sectors above 3 200 m asl
- –13 °C in areas above 3,800 m asl in the southern mountains.
Wednesday, November 19
- –3 °C in areas of the central mountain range above 3,200 m asl
- –14 °C in areas of the southern mountains above 4,000 m asl
Thursday, November 20
- –3 °C in the central mountain range.
- –13 °C in sectors of the southern mountains above 4,000 m asl
The orange alert will remain active until this period is completed, without ruling out that it may be extended if atmospheric conditions persist.
This cold episode coincides with the twenty-eighth cold season of the year in the Peruvian jungle, a phenomenon generated by the entry of cold air coming from Antarctica. The event caused heavy rain and a sudden drop in temperatures in various Amazonian regions during the last few days, altering the typical climatic behavior of November.
Faced with this scenario, the authorities recommended that the population adopt protective measures, especially in rural areas where extreme cold increases the risk of respiratory diseases. Among the recommendations are:
- Provide adequate shelter for children and older adults.
- Avoid sudden changes in temperature.
- Check roofs and homes vulnerable to wind.
- Protect animals and crops from night frosts.
Likewise, Senamhi urged local governments to activate contingency plans and monitor possible effects on the most exposed communities.
