2023 South America heat wave

Between July and September 2023, a heat wave hit South America, leading to temperatures in many areas above 95 °F (35 °C) in midwinter, often 40–45 °F (22–25 °C) degrees above typical. The heat wave was especially severe in Argentina, Chile, and neighboring areas in and around the Andes Mountains. Some locations set all-time heat records.[1] Several states also had the hottest September temperatures in history, often reaching more than 40C.[2]

In mid-July, Brazil began experiencing elevated temperatures. During the third week of the month, locations in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay set records for July temperatures. There was a heat dome above Paraguay associated with the unusual weather,[1] which was also exacerbated by El Niño and global warming.[3]

Weather historian Maximiliano Herrera stated that "South America is living one of the extreme events the world has ever seen" and "This event is rewriting all climatic books".[1]

On 12 August 2023, Rio De Janeiro broke a 117 year heat record. Chile saw highs towards 40C and Bolivia saw unseasonably high temperatures, while Asunción saw 33C. [4]

References
  1. Livingston, Ian (2 August 2023). "It's midwinter, but it's over 100 degrees in South America". Washington Post. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  2. Extreme heat scorches large parts of South America as winter ends. CNN, 25 September 2023.
  3. "Winter heat wave in Chile offers 'window' to warmer world". Reuters. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  4. Phillips, Tom; Goñi, Uki; Grace, Matthew (August 3, 2023). "'Winter is disappearing': South America hit by 'brutal' unseasonal heatwave" – via The Guardian.
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