Argentina is a significant producer of food that not only feeds its population but is so productive that it is the world's second-largest corn exporter in the world, second only to the United States.
The nation's agricultural belt will experience a worrying heatwave that could shatter heat records in Argentina and extreme Southern Brazil, Paraguay, and Uraguay. Drought conditions and recent heatwaves that have recently ravaged the area will only increase as the heat dome spreads across the region this week.
According to Storm Watch, temperatures might reach 122 F Thursday or Friday of this week, one degree warmer than the 121-degree temperature that incinerated the town of Lytton, British Columbia, this past summer.
Just look up.
Early corn sown in the provinces of Santa Fe, Córdoba, Entre Ríos and Buenos Aires is in a very delicate situation: yield losses ranging from 20 to 40 percent are confirmed in the eastern part of the country.
Thus, yield expectations range from 60 to 80 quintals per hectare in lots with regular condition (which would cover production costs) and from 80 to 100 qq / ha in those in good condition.
“In 2022 there will be no yields of 140 qq / ha as many reached last year,” explain the technicians.
On the other hand, the condition of the soybeans registered an improvement but the passage to more critical stages of the crop requires between 50 to 80 mm. more water so you don’t lose performance potential; and in the areas least benefited by the rains, the deterioration continues.
Weeks ago, Argentina had excellent chances of once again having a record corn season – exceeding 56 million tons for the first time – and approaching 50 million in soybeans. In addition to the lack of rain and temperatures above 40 ° C, as well as the scarce reserves of moisture in the deep levels of the soil, the La Niña phenomenon – mild, but for the second consecutive year – and a center of high pressure in the center of the country that “puts the heavy season in check,” highlighted the BCR.
The prices for cereal crops have already risen on the Chicago Stock Exchange.
According to a specialist weather company, some of the aforementioned places could become the hottest places on the planet for a few hours.
According to an extended forecast issued by the National Meteorological Service (SMN), temperatures will rise over the next few days, comfortably exceeding 35°C in the central region of the country and some parts of the northwest.
In Buenos Aires City, the SMN forecast that it could reach 36°C next Tuesday and Wednesday (January 11 and 12), though higher temperatures are not ruled out.
In the city of Cordoba – one of the cities expected to suffer the most – a maximum temperature of 39°C is forecast for Monday, with extreme heat lasting until Wednesday, with minimum temperatures not expected to drop below 22°C. A similar situation is expected for the cities of Santa Fe and Paraná, according to the SMN, while in Santiago del Estero the temperature could reach 42°C.
Residents of Buenos Aries can expect power outages and power grid failure. Indeed, a mass casualty event is possible, as witnessed in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia with over 1400 souls dead. Wildfires may also be sparked from drought and heat.
The Guardian describes our near-term future.
The average CO2 levels in 2021 reached a new record of 414 parts per million in 2021 – before the Industrial Revolution and large scale burning of fossil fuels the level was 280ppm. The rate of CO2 rise remained the same as it had since 2010, despite Covid-related lockdowns.
Methane levels are accelerating with the growth rate in 2021 approximately three times the rate of a decade ago. Methane is emitted through fossil fuel exploitation, cattle and other livestock, and natural wetland processes and scientists are uncertain about the cause of the rapid rises.
Vincent-Henri Peuch, at Copernicus, said: “CO2 and methane concentrations are continuing to increase year-on-year and without signs of slowing down.
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