The rains recorded in the last few hours in much of the national territory are associated with the passage of the eastern wave number 10 of the season, a phenomenon that left abundant humidity, precipitation and electrical activity, as reported by the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology (Insivumeh).
Cleofas Culajay, from the Insivumeh Forecast Department, explained that the system crossed Guatemala last Monday and generated favorable conditions for heavy rains in various regions of the country.
“They are systems that basically come loaded with humidity, some more than others, so as they pass through the national territory they leave heavy rains with electrical activity, mainly in the mountainous sectors. This system was loaded with a lot of humidity, which left abundant rain and a lot of humidity in its wake,” said Culajay.
Eastern waves are atmospheric disturbances that move from the Atlantic Ocean towards Central America and tend to increase cloudiness, rainfall, and electrical activity during the rainy season.
According to the forecaster, the rain recorded on Monday remained within normal parameters for this type of phenomena. However, the Insivumeh maintains surveillance of another eastern wave that could affect the country between Wednesday and Thursday.
Saturated soils increase risk of emergencies
The accumulated rainfall in recent weeks has caused the soils to remain saturated in different regions, a situation that increases the possibility of emergencies associated with the rains.
Culajay indicated that there is a risk of landslides, lowering of lahars in the volcanic chain and sudden flooding of rivers.
The institution also issued recommendations for the population to remain attentive to the authorities’ warnings, especially in areas vulnerable to mass movements and flooding.
Favorable conditions for rain persist
For her part, Ana Pérez, Insivumeh forecaster, reported on social networks that this Tuesday the entry of humidity from both coasts continues, favored by easterly winds.
According to the meteorological analysis, during the afternoon and evening there could be rain in sectors of the Northern Transversal Strip, Izabal, Bocacosta, the West and the south of the Central Altiplano.
The precipitation could be accompanied by electrical activity, mainly in areas close to the volcanic chain.
The specialist added that the environment will continue to be warm in much of the country. In Izabal and southern sectors of Valles de Oriente, temperatures between 34 and 36 degrees are expected at noon, while in the West and areas of the Northern Transversal Strip the maximum values would range between 24 and 26 degrees.
In the Central Altiplano, maximum temperatures between 28 and 30 degrees are expected.
Although meteorological models predict accumulated low rainfall on a national scale, Insivumeh does not rule out locally strong events in Izabal and sectors of the volcanic chain.
Severe local storms
The Insivumeh warned that current atmospheric conditions favor the formation of severe local storms, characterized by intense rain, strong winds and possible hail in mountainous areas.
During the afternoon of this Tuesday, convective clouds with rain and electrical activity were observed in the west and north of Petén, while in the Pacific and the south of Valles de Oriente, low cloud conditions prevailed.
The entity indicated that the highest rainfall accumulations could be recorded in the West, Bocacosta, the Northern Transversal Strip, the Caribbean and sectors of the Central Highlands.
Soil humidity exceeds 90% in municipalities of Petén
A special bulletin from Insivumeh revealed that the municipalities of San Luis and San Francisco, in Petén, present saturation levels equal to or greater than 90% in the surface layer of the soil.
This condition favors runoff and increases the probability of flooding in rivers, streams, streams and ditches.
Records from the last 24 hours show that the highest rainfall accumulations occurred in Guatemala, with 59.7 millimeters; Chiquimula, 33.8; Izabal, 29.4; Alta Verapaz, 18.2; and Huehuetenango, 17.5 millimeters.
The authorities reiterated the call to the population to take precautions against possible floods, landslides, mass movements, sudden flooding of rivers and descent of lahars in the volcanic chain, because atmospheric conditions continue to favor the development of rains during the next few days.
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