Temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees in some sectors of central Chile, especially in the Noble and Biobio regions.
The first heat wave announced in 2025 will extend from the metropolitan area to Araucanía, according to academic and agroclimatologist from the University of Talca, Patricio González Colville, who highlighted that “the warmest areas will occur in the region of Maule, Noble and Biobio.”
Although the specialist explained that high temperatures will begin starting this Thursday, specifically on Sunday, January 12, temperatures approaching 40 degrees can be reached in the central region of Chile.
In the capital, the temperature is expected to reach 34 degrees on Sunday, while the heat will be more intense, said academician Yutalino, “especially in Noble and Biobio, where it can reach 39-40 degrees Celsius. The temperature in Talca will be about 38°C, but there are areas in the Maule region, such as Kaukinis, the coastal drylands, where the temperature can range between 38°C and 39°C.
The agro-climatologist from the university’s Center for Research and Transformation in Irrigation and Agro-Climate (CITRA) stressed that it is very likely that the heat wave will be repeated “in the second half of January or during the first half of February” – the two warmest cores in Chile in terms of high temperatures. “
The expert added that high temperatures are also affected by geography. “Cities like San Fernando, Rancagua, Curico, Talca, Cauquines, Chillán and Los Angeles are lowland cities, 90 to 100 meters above sea level and surrounded by mountains, making them have a very continental climate with temperatures that are not.” “Good for agriculture, forest fire fighting and public health,” he commented.
Regarding the onset of La Niña, which will eventually bring with it a milder summer, the expert explained that, being an event with regional characteristics, it will not be able to reduce the maximum extreme temperatures, which respond to much stronger global changes. Thermal changes.
Not only will there be a heat wave during the day, occurring between 2 and 5 p.m., as the agricultural climatologist explained, but high temperatures will also be recorded at night, “especially when maximum temperatures are above 35 degrees and relatively late, between 5 and 6 p.m. , causing temperatures to be recorded ranging between 22 – 23 degrees in the Central Valley around 2 am, making it difficult to sleep as a result of the weather and the accumulation of heat in homes.
Impact on agriculture
Not only do high temperatures pose a danger to humans who are exposed to them, but agriculture is also severely affected by heat waves. This is how the specialist explained it.
“As temperatures rise more and more, there is an impact on the development of photosynthesis, which is a physiological process that leads to the emergence of carbohydrates and then the fruit. He pointed out that it is necessary to add sunlight, which burns the surface of the fruit, leaving it brown, causing its necrosis and removing it from the market.
In this regard, the expert concluded, “In addition to heat stress that damages crop structure, we must take into account water stress that occurs when the temperature exceeds 34 degrees, which generates losses ranging from 70 to 80 cubic meters of water per hectare.”
Strategies
On the other hand, the expert confirmed The current thermal situation of the planet advises facing each summer with the necessary strategies and mitigations to protect agriculture, forestry and, above all, public health from heatstroke.
“The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference, held in Azerbaijan, expressed a conclusion that subconsciously reveals the catastrophic climate future of the planet: the creation of a US$300,000 fund to help developing countries, so they can adapt and mitigate of the effects of climate change. Gonzalez Colville concluded his talk with the inevitable impacts of climate change.
