45°C temperature and 1% humidity under the Zonda winds in Argentina

A mass of extremely hot air covers western, central and northern Argentina with scorching temperatures and maximum temperatures reaching 45°C | Luis Robayo/AFP/Metsol Meteorological

The heat was unusual on Saturday in some provinces of Argentina as a result of an exceptionally strong hot air mass that brought very high temperatures well above normal also in the south, center-west and part of southeastern Brazil. Maximum temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius were observed in the neighboring country.

According to data from stations of the Argentine National Meteorological Service (SMN), the maximum on Saturday reached 45.3 °C in San Juan; 44.9°C in Mendoza; 42.2°C in La Rioja; 42.0 °C in Tenugasta; 41.9°C in Saint Martin; 41.6°C at Villa Reynolds; 41°C in Villa Dolores and Rivadavia; And 40.2 degrees Celsius in Catamarca.

Today’s extreme heat in western Argentina, in locations close to the mountain range, in the so-called Cuyo region, has been exacerbated by the extremely hot and dry Zonda winds. Today’s relative air humidity in Mendoza reached just 1% with extreme heat, causing power outages in various parts of the province.

The surge recorded today in Mendoza under Zonda winds is historic. It was the hottest day in the city’s history. The official maximum temperature of 44.9°C was 0.5°C higher than the previous absolute maximum temperature record of 44.4°C, set on 30 January 2003.

Zonda is a typical wind that blows in western Argentina and is characterized by its continuous and strong gusts. The weather is very hot and very dry, and the relative humidity of the air often reduces to values ​​​​less than 5% to 10%.

The Zonda region descends from the Andes Mountains and its dominant direction is west. This usually happens when there is instability on the other side of the Andes, on the Chilean side of the mountain range.

Wind gusts of over 100 km/h can occur, and problems such as lack of light and roofs, falling trees, as well as a high fire risk are often present. Temperatures rise sharply, especially in the Mendoza region.

According to Argentina’s National Meteorological Service, a zonda occurs when moist air rises from the Pacific Ocean across the Andes, leaves its moisture on the Chilean side and lands on the Argentine side with very dry air that quickly heats up as it descends. Argentine sector of the mountain range.

SMN stresses that it can occur at any time of the year, but is most common between May and August. According to the Argentine Meteorological Agency, this occurrence is more common in the afternoon than at other times of the day. Sometimes it does not reach the surface and is called the “height zone”.

A similar phenomenon occurs in other parts of the world where there are mountain ranges with different names. These are the Chinook in the United States and Canada, the Fawn in the European Alps, the Canterbury in New Zealand, and the Bergwind in South Africa.

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