Heat wave in Argentina and Paraguay break historical records

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – For the first time in 22 years, Argentina’s National Weather Service (SMN) recorded 40ºC in Ezeiza. The last time thermometers reached 40ºC was on December 26, 1999.

According to SMN meteorologist Nacho López Amorim, the mark was not a record in December, but rather in January 1980 at 41.2ºC.

The city of Buenos Aires, on Wednesday recorded a maximum of 37.2ºC at the central observatory of Villa Ordazar, the highest in the Argentine capital since December 10, 2019. At the city’s domestic airport, Aeroparque Jorge Newbery, the temperature stood at only 33.4ºC. Due to its location next to the River Plate, the temperature in the area rises slightly more.

The heat was intense in central Argentina and in many Northeastern cities. Thermometers read 39.2ºC in Rosario, 39.0ºC in Posadas and 38.5ºC in Córdoba. Patagonia also registered a maximum of 39.7ºC, while Whitema (Río Negro province) and Trelo (Subut province) reached a minimum of 37.7ºC.

The highest temperatures recorded in Argentina on Wednesday were 41.6ºC in Rivadavia, 41.0ºC in Los Lomidas, 40.7ºC in Santiago del Estro, 40.5ºC in Ituzaingó (Corrientes), 40.2ºC in Junín and 40.2ºC in Hondo.

In Paraguay, Poso reached a high of 41.8ºC in Colorado, according to the DHM. Daily heat records were broken for 11 seasons (Paraguay follows U.S. sample records for the day). In Coronal Ovio, December 29 was the hottest since 1975.

The heat is not letting up and is worsening in northeastern Argentina, while it starts today in the Buenos Aires region. The maximum in northern and northeastern Argentina, except Paraguay, may reach between 43ºC and 45ºC on Friday and the weekend. Sunday may be particularly severe in Paraguay.

On December 29, 2021, the capital city of Asuncion recorded a record high of 39.6ºC, breaking the previous daily high of 37.7ºC on December 29, 2002.