SOUTH America is sweltering under abnormally hot temperatures, even during its winter season, as a heatwave fueled by human-caused climate change and the El Niño phenomenon sweeps across the southern cone countries, including Chile and Argentina.
In some places, temperatures have soared above 38 degrees Celsius or 100 degrees Fahrenheit, significantly higher than the average for this time of year.
Climatologist Maximiliano Herrera, who tracks extreme temperatures worldwide, described this winter heat wave as “fierce” and “exceptional” for its intensity and early timing in august. Many stations are reporting their highest-ever temperatures for this period.
Chile’s environment minister, Maisa Rojas, highlighted the occurrence of extreme events around the world for weeks, and this time, South America and Chile experienced the brunt of it.In Chile’s mountainous Andes Region, temperatures reached an unbelievable 38.9 degrees Celsius (102 Fahrenheit) during mid-winter, “rewriting all climatic books.” even in the Coquimbo Region, known for average temperatures of 22 degrees Celsius (72 Fahrenheit) during the height of summer in February, temperatures have surpassed expectations during this winter season.
In Argentina, some areas reached highs of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit), with Buenos Aires experiencing its hottest start to august in 117 years of recorded data.
The extreme heat is attributed to a combination of global warming due to climate change and the El Niño phenomenon, which brings warmer sea-surface temperatures originating from the tropical Pacific Ocean.
This pattern of extreme heat aligns with a broader global trend, as July was the hottest month on record worldwide.
Scientists have linked the heat waves in various regions, including the US, Southern Europe, and China, to the human-caused climate crisis.
Chile’s Environment Minister Maisa Rojas, emphasized the urgent need to address the issue by discontinuing the burning of fossil fuels.
The heatwave continues, with high temperatures expected to persist for the next several days in Northern Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Southwest Brazil, possibly reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
Climatologists and experts warn that the combination of climate change and El Niño is pushing temperatures into uncharted territory, posing alarming consequences for the region and the world at large.
