Extreme Weather: Record Heat in South America Contrasts with North America’s Cold

South America is facing unprecedented heat, especially in Brazil, where Rio de Janeiro recorded temperatures of 44°C, significantly above average. This has led to the activation of emergency heat protocols. Argentina anticipates further high temperatures, while in stark contrast, some areas in North America, including Saskatchewan and North Dakota, experienced extreme cold, highlighting the continent’s climatic extremes.

As North America contends with severe cold weather, South America, in its final summer month, is experiencing unprecedented heat. In Rio de Janeiro, the Guaratiba weather station recorded a temperature of 44°C last Monday, marking a significant deviation of 14°C above the February average and the city’s highest temperature in over ten years. This period has also seen one of the driest Februarys on record, prompting the activation of a level 4 heat protocol, which included hydration stations at public venues and designated air-conditioned spaces as cooling points.

While temperatures in Brazil have normalized somewhat, the focus has shifted southward to Argentina where temperatures are predicted to reach the upper 30s to low 40s Celsius in the coming days, significantly above average for the season. Unlike in Rio, these elevated temperatures could trigger thunderstorms, potentially resulting in substantial rainfall in affected areas. The extreme heat is primarily attributed to high pressure over the southern Atlantic, causing air to descend, compress, and warm as it approaches the continent’s southern regions.

In stark contrast to the high temperatures in South America, regions such as Saskatchewan in Canada have experienced frigid lows, plummeting to -40°C, while North Dakota recorded a minimum temperature of -37.8°C. This temperature disparity resulted in a striking difference of over 80°C between the two continents on the same day. The weather conditions exemplify the stark climatic extremes presently affecting the Americas.

Further afield, central and eastern Africa are also grappling with severe heatwaves, predominantly impacting South Sudan and parts of Chad, the Central African Republic, and Sudan, with temperatures soaring into the low 40s Celsius. In South Sudan, schools have been mandated to close for two weeks for the second consecutive year to protect students from the relentless heat, with forecasts suggesting minimal relief and the potential for continued heatwave conditions into March.

In summary, South America is currently facing record high temperatures and dryness, particularly in Brazil and Argentina, attributed to a high-pressure system. In contrast, parts of North America are experiencing severe cold. Additionally, central and eastern Africa are enduring extreme heat, prompting school closures to protect students from heat-related health issues. Overall, the weather patterns underscore the diverse and extreme climatic conditions affecting various regions around the globe.

Original Source: www.theguardian.com