Strong winds have rattled Lima and Callao in recent days, shaking doors and windows, bending trees and deepening the winter chill across the Peruvian capital. Peru’s National Meteorology and Hydrology Service, known as Senamhi, said the cause is a strengthening of the South Pacific Anticyclone, an atmospheric system that is pushing more intense winds toward the Peruvian coast and increasing coastal humidity.
Senamhi said the strengthened anticyclone is raising wind speeds over the ocean and the coastal strip. The agency said the pattern is bringing greater flows of cold, humid air, producing overcast skies, fog, mist and light drizzle, particularly at night and in the early morning hours. In open areas along the shoreline, dust and sand are also being lifted.
Although strong winter winds are a normal feature of the Peruvian coast, Senamhi said the gusts this time have been above average. The agency said winds in some coastal points are reaching speeds of close to 40 kilometres per hour, prompting it to issue preventive alerts for several coastal regions.
Conditions Expected to Ease After Sunday
Senamhi’s official forecast said the elevated wind speeds will continue until Sunday, 2 August, with conditions remaining favourable for drizzle, reduced horizontal visibility and lower wind-chill temperatures across metropolitan Lima and Callao. High seas and the high humidity typical of Lima’s winter are also expected to persist during that period.
Authorities recommended that residents take precautions, particularly drivers and motorcyclists, because fog may reduce visibility on roads. They also advised securing lightweight objects on rooftops, balconies and terraces that could be displaced by gusts, and urged people to follow official Senamhi alerts.
Specialists recommended wearing warm clothing, since strong wind intensifies the sensation of cold even without a significant drop in temperature. People with respiratory conditions were advised to avoid prolonged exposure to cold air, with particular care urged for children and older adults. Caution was also recommended on roads near the coast because of fog and wet pavement from drizzle.
Senamhi said it will continue monitoring the atmospheric system and will update its alerts if meteorological conditions change in the coming days.
