Santa Cruz forecasts weekend winds up to 90 km/h

The department of Santa Cruz in Bolivia is bracing for a weekend of intense weather, with strong northern winds expected to bring gusts of up to 90 km/h. Agrometeorologist Luis Alberto Alpire forecasts these conditions will persist through Monday, impacting various regions within the department.

In Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the provincial capital, minimum temperatures will hover between 23°C and 24°C, while maximums will reach 30°C to 31°C. Alpire urged the public to exercise caution, recommending that vehicles not be parked under trees and that people stay clear of large advertising structures. He also advised vigilance regarding falling branches and potential disruptions to power lines.

“

take precautions

Emergency services for the Rural Electrification Cooperative (CRE) and the municipal government are on alert for potential incidents. Alpire also warned of the increased risk of fires, particularly in grassy areas, emphasizing the need to avoid open flames or discarded cigarettes due to the wind's ability to rapidly spread fire.

“

avoid parking vehicles under trees, stay away from large advertising structures, and be careful with falling branches and power lines.

The strong winds will affect other areas of Santa Cruz as well. The Valles region will experience minimums of 12°C and maximums of 28°C with gusts up to 60 km/h. The Cordillera region, especially Charagua and Cabezas, will see winds up to 80 km/h, with temperatures ranging from 16°C to 36°C. In the Chiquitania region, winds could reach 90 km/h, with temperatures between 24°C and 35°C.

Following the windy spell, weak showers are possible from Tuesday, accompanied by a slight temperature drop to 19°C-21°C for highs and 26°C-29°C for lows. However, Alpire clarified this is not a cold front but a temporary wind variation. Temperatures are expected to rise again afterward, with northern winds persisting at around 60 km/h.

“

Also, one should not rule out fires that generally occur in areas where there is grass and people live, so one must avoid making any kind of fire, like throwing away a cigarette butt.