The month of February began with extremely hot temperatures in much of the country, with maximum values reported as high as 43°C in some communes of Maule and Bío-Bío. This is due to a powerful and deep strategically located anticyclone, which will probably continue and reactivate throughout the next week.
In Argentina, high temperatures during the summer are a frequent condition, generally exceeding 40°, due to continental warm advection driven by anticyclonic flow. But what is happening in Chile? In Chile, high temperatures are also related to the same anticyclone, but its unusual position results in a significant increase in temperature in the central region, since the anticyclone, due to its position, causes continental winds, as well as winds from the mountain range and coastal mountain range, which when descending from the mountains, undergo compression and heat, with this warm air reaching a large part of the central region. On average, it is estimated that the wind can increase by 6.5°C for every 1,000 meters of descent from a mountain.
This warm air reaches a large part of the central region and sometimes, when the wind is forced to move from east to west, it reaches the coasts and also raises temperatures.
Will the high temperatures continue?
There was a slight decrease in maximum temperatures this weekend, with values expected between 31° and 33°. However, starting on Monday, the atmosphere was once again set to present a prolonged heat wave that could last all week, with maximum temperatures of 36° to 39° in the region from Bío-Bío to the Metropolitan Region. Therefore, the heat will not give a break.
On the map we can see the estimated maximum temperatures, predicted by the GFS model for February 7, a condition that could extend until February 11.
Will the extreme heat end?
A cold air mass could arrive from February 12, which would temporarily put an end to the high temperatures, adjusting to maximum values at the threshold of 30°C. This condition could prevail until February 18, since the arrival of another anticyclone is observed again, which would considerably raise temperatures, so we could face a new heat wave similar to the one that occurred at the beginning of February.
What do very long-term weather models say?
According to the analysis of the most recent runs of probabilistic models, February will be a month with temperatures on average 3° to 4° C above normal, which is suggestive of more heat wave events. March is not far behind, and the forecasts also show a high risk of heat waves continuing to occur during the first week of the month.
The previous general forecast was made by the company GlobalMet, who have the best tool for farmers, providing their clients with a personal meteorologist service, who knows their field and provides forecasts up to 30 days in advance.
Through the App, to which access is provided along with the service, you can consult variables such as temperature, humidity, cloudiness, rain, wind, radiation, thermal sensation, dew point, evapotranspiration, among others, accompanied by graphics by day and time and if you need an explanation about any of the variants or information about a specific event, you will also have a WhatsApp group where the meteorologist assigned to your field will answer all your questions.
GlobalMet's job is to provide producers with accurate information on the variables that will be present at their specific point so that they can have better planning and decision making in the field, for example, during frost season it can provide information on what day it will freeze and how long it will last, thus they can better use their frost control system and apply climate stress products; all of this will be directly reflected in the producer's pocket.
Frost can destroy all production, causing huge losses that could be avoided by having adequate tools such as those offered by GlobalMet, so you can prepare in time to avoid any damage or loss to your crops.
For more information about this service, visit www.globalmet.mx or www.vadpagro.cl or go to the Vadpagro mini site on Smartcherry.
