After the electricity crisis, Santiago is once again on alert for winds, rains and storms: here are the forecasts

For the beginning of August, a rainy episode had been forecast for a few days in Santiago. However, no model of climate It was foreseeable that gusts of wind unprecedented in the history of the capital, blowing at more than 120 kilometers per hour, would wreak havoc in the city.

Actually, the stations of Chilean Meteorological Directorate (DMC) Winds of up to 124 kilometers per hour were recorded in the municipality of Pudahuel a figure never seen before and which surprised meteorologists.

The panorama the next day was devastating: fallen poles and trees, broken in two, branches on the sidewalks, closed streets, traffic lights not working and thousands of homes without electricity in the middle of winter with low temperatures.

The consequences of the last winds lasted for several more weeks and even There are still Chileans who report being without electricity. This would be the most serious power outage since the earthquake of February 27, 2010.

SO, Without having completely emerged from the electricity crisis that has hit the metropolitan area and the rest of the country, new forecasts of strong winds, precipitation and electrical storms have been announced for the central area.

Residents and institutions are on alert, fearing that history will repeat itself.

This is the forecast for the next few days.

He National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) announced yesterday Monday a preventive early warning for the entire metropolitan region by “weather event”.

This, after Saturday, had only been declared for the eight municipalities closest to the foothills and mountain ranges: Lo Barnechea, Vitacura, Las Condes, La Reina, Peñalolén, La Florida, Puente Alto and San José de Maipo.

With this change, The authorities may be careful to deploy resources and provide assistance to all municipalities in the region, if justified.

And the forecasts shared by Senapred for yesterday night until Thursday August 22 are “normal to moderate wind in the mountains with probability of white wind” and “electric storms likely, with probability of hail in the region”.

The white wind, as explained in the media The country , It is a blizzard that occurs during storms, when intense wind manages to carry away precipitation or accumulated snow. This is a phenomenon considered dangerous, because it directly affects people’s visibility.

During these episodes, the authorities recommend avoiding going out, except in cases of strict necessity, especially since Senapred detailed that Winds on this occasion could reach between 50 and 60 kilometers per hour.

On the other hand, the Chilean Meteorological Directorate (DMC) also issued a weather alert this Monday, warning that There will be normal to moderate winds in some areas of the metropolitan regions, Valparaíso, Coquimbo, O’Higgins and Maule, until the early hours of Thursday, August 22.

Furthermore, the institution warned that This wind phenomenon will be associated with a jet stream, a meteorological phenomenon that consists of a strong and intense flow of air that floats on the surface of the atmosphere.

In addition, An electrical storm was forecast for the metropolitan area which would break out on Wednesday, August 21, accompanied by hail. In addition, there would be low precipitation in the central valleys (around 1 to 3 millimeters).

And finally, Very cold days are expected, with low temperatures ranging from 0 to 4°C at a minimum and 12°C at a maximum.

Given the forecast of precipitation, intense winds and electrical storms expected for the metropolitan area and other regions of the country, Senapred has formulated a series of recommendations to protect citizens and prevent dangers, accidents and damage.

Electrical storms are sudden discharges of atmospheric electricity, manifested by lightning and thunder (a loud or rumbling sound). These may be associated with precipitation clouds, in the form of showers, or with snow and hail on other occasions.

During a thunderstorm, you must:

• Stay home, in a safe place for your family. Do not go out unless absolutely necessary.
• Avoid outdoor activities. Do not use metal objects such as fishing rods, canes, etc. Metals are good electrical conductors.
• Avoid proximity to metal bars, fences and power and/or telephone lines.
• If you are in open country, avoid sheltering under isolated trees. Stay low and away from them until the storm passes.
• Do not come into contact with swimming pools, rivers, lakes or the sea. Get out of boats and sailboats. Avoid wet areas.
• If you are in a vehicle, stay there with the engine off, no radio antenna and the windows closed. This is a good alternative shelter.
• Turn off cell phones, portable radios and GPS devices.

In addition, Given the precipitation, Senapred recommended:

• Check the roof and gutters beforehand and clean them if necessary.
• If you notice leaks or suspect that the electrical network is in contact with water during the rain, cut off the power supply.
• When driving in the rain, drive at reduced speed and with more space between vehicles, as braking distance is doubled on wet roads.
• Avoid walking or driving in flooded areas or roads. If you are unfamiliar with the area, do not expose yourself to risky situations.

For more information on recommendations during different weather events, you can click on here .