Uruguay braces for 'Santa Rosa storm' potentially amplified by strong El Niño

Uruguayans are anticipating the arrival of the "Santa Rosa storm," a traditional weather event that typically occurs around August 30th. Meteorologist José Serra forecasts that the storm will likely occur between August 20th and September 10th, and warns it could be significantly amplified by the El Niño phenomenon.

Serra explained that two factors contribute to the expected weather patterns. Firstly, as the season shifts towards spring, Uruguay experiences high atmospheric variability, which can trigger depressions and cold fronts. Secondly, the current El Niño event, which had not been present previously, is expected to intensify any storms.

"Santa Rosa normally comes, but in case of having an atmospheric depression or a storm, we will have greater instability and potentially more severe storms," Serra stated. He described the current El Niño as "atypical," noting that Pacific Ocean temperatures have reached nearly three degrees Celsius higher than recorded in the last 100 years, suggesting the potential for exceptionally severe weather.

The legend of the "Santa Rosa storm" dates back to 1615 in Peru, linked to Saint Rose of Lima. According to the story, she prayed intensely to repel an attack by Dutch pirates, successfully generating an unprecedented storm that drove them away from the coast of Lima. This tradition has since been adopted in Uruguay, where storms occurring around the feast day of Saint Rose are attributed to her.

Serra's warning highlights the potential for increased instability and more severe storms in Uruguay due to the confluence of seasonal changes and a powerful El Niño. The unusual intensity of the current El Niño raises concerns about its impact on regional weather patterns.