DANA Qori: Senamhi Reports Impact on Several Regions of Peru (Dec 2-5)

Residents across Peru are being urged to take precautions as a low-pressure system is bringing heavy precipitation and strong winds to parts of the country. The National Meteorological and Hydrological Service of Peru (Senamhi) has warned that the system, dubbed ‘Qori,’ will affect several regions through December 5.

The weather event is currently causing Depression Aislada en Niveles Altos (DANA) – or Isolated High-Level Depression – which is resulting in a mix of precipitation, including snow, sleet, hail, and rain, along with intense winds in the central and southern highlands of Peru.

According to the forecast, ‘Qori’ will generate rainfall accompanied by lightning, hail above 2,800 meters above sea level, and snowfall in areas above 3,900 meters above sea level in the central and southern highlands, particularly during the early morning hours of December 4-5. Isolated showers are also possible along the central and southern coasts.

The Senamhi also anticipates increasing wind speeds with gusts reaching up to 40 km/h (approximately 25 mph) from December 3 to 5.

Will ‘Qori’ Affect Lima?

Meteorologist José Mesía of the Senamhi told RPP that the ‘Qori’ system is expected to have an impact on Lima.

“Towards the coast, the winds will shift, and we will experience winds from the north, meaning from north to south. Therefore, temperatures could rise, not only along the coast of Lima but also along the coast of the Ica, Tacna, Moquegua, and Arequipa departments,” Mesía explained.

Regarding the increasing temperatures in the capital, the specialist noted that spring is a transition season towards summer, which explains the reported feeling of warmth.

However, minimum temperatures will remain low during the nights and early morning hours, and residents are advised to take precautions to avoid respiratory problems. “Maximum temperatures are a bit higher these days, but the minimums are holding steady, because the system regulating the ocean side is maintaining normal temperatures,” he added.

Two Weather Alerts Associated with ‘Qori’

Due to the occurrence of ‘Qori,’ the Senamhi has issued two yellow alerts for various regions of the country.

The first yellow alert – between December 3 and 5 – is for light to moderate rainfall in the regions of Áncash, Apurímac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huánuco, Junín, Lima, Moquegua, Pasco, Puno, and Tacna.

These departments can expect hail above 2,800 meters above sea level and snowfall in areas above 3,800 meters above sea level in the central and southern highlands. The Senamhi warned that these precipitation events will be accompanied by lightning and wind gusts of up to 45 km/h (approximately 28 mph).

The second yellow alert – also between December 3 and 5 – is for increased wind speeds of light to moderate intensity in the regions of Apurímac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Puno.

“In addition, wind gusts of up to 45 km/h (approximately 28 mph) are expected,” the Senamhi stated on its official website.

What is a DANA?

Nelson Quispe, the sub-director of Meteorological Prediction at the Senamhi, explained that a Depression Aislada en Niveles Altos (DANA) is an atmospheric system at high levels, meaning from 5,000 meters (approximately 16,400 feet) above sea level to around 12,000 meters (approximately 39,400 feet).

“It is a very large bubble of air that extends along the South Pacific and gradually enters tropical latitudes. As it enters the tropical zone, being composed of very cold air, it cools everything in its path,” he said.

“When it reaches the southern areas of Peru, where it encounters somewhat warmer and humid air, these two interact. Therefore, it generates some solid precipitation, especially snowfall, in the high Andean areas, in areas above 3,800 meters above sea level. This solid precipitation can even extend to the central highlands of Peru,” he added.

You Might Also Like