Peru faces extreme heat alert amid winter El Niño effects

Peru is currently facing an extreme weather alert due to unusually high temperatures gripping the country, even in the midst of its winter season. This phenomenon is attributed to the intensifying effects of the El Niño climate pattern, which is causing a significant warming of the Pacific Ocean.

The alert, in effect from July 30 to at least August 1, forecasts a rise in daytime temperatures across the coast and highlands. Maximum temperatures are expected to range between 30 and 36 degrees Celsius along the northern coast, where El Niño's impact is most pronounced. Central and southern coastal regions will see slightly cooler, but still high, temperatures between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius.

This intense heat is exacerbated by scarce cloud cover during midday, leading to elevated levels of ultraviolet radiation. Additionally, the country can expect strong gusts of wind reaching speeds of up to 45 kilometers per hour, particularly in the afternoons. Even nighttime temperatures in the capital, Lima, have been recorded up to 5 degrees Celsius above the historical average.

Experts at Peru's National Study of the El Niño Phenomenon (Enfen) warn that the effects of this cycle could be extraordinary by year's end. The sustained warming of sea surface temperatures, which have reached up to 6 degrees Celsius above average, raises concerns about the potential for severe flooding along the northern coast in the coming months.