Red alert in Peru: heat of up to 38 °C (100 °F) and high UV radiation from November 5 to 8 in 20 regions; how to protect yourself
Senamhi issued red-level warning No. 453 for rising daytime temperatures on the coast and in the highlands. The northern coast could reach 38 °C, and few clouds around midday will push ultraviolet radiation higher.
Photo: Salud3 / Imagen ilustrativa generada con IA · Imagen ilustrativa
Illustrative image: A cobbled street by the sea under a harsh sun, with a rainbow parasol, a straw hat and a water bottle on a wall. It does not depict a real place.
Peru's National Meteorology and Hydrology Service (Senamhi) issued weather warning No. 453, at red level, warning that from Thursday, November 5, to Sunday, November 8, daytime temperatures will keep rising, with moderate to extreme intensity on the coast and moderate to strong intensity in the highlands.
And it is not just the heat.
What the warning says
According to Indeci's bulletin on warning 453, which extends warning 447, highs of 24 °C to 38 °C are expected on the northern coast, 24 °C to 31 °C on the central coast and 25 °C to 30 °C on the southern coast. In the highlands, temperatures would range from 19 °C to 32 °C in the north, 24 °C to 29 °C in the center and 20 °C to 30 °C in the south.
In addition, few clouds are expected around midday, which will contribute to higher levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, along with wind gusts of around 45 km/h in the afternoons. Scattered rain on the northern coast is not ruled out.
The warning covers Áncash, Apurímac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huánuco, Ica, Junín, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, Tacna and Tumbes. According to TVPerú, the red level indicates that events of great magnitude are forecast.
Why heat and UV matter for your health
The World Health Organization (WHO) explains that when the body cannot regulate its temperature, the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke rises, and the effort to cool down also strains the heart and kidneys. That is why extreme heat can worsen chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases or diabetes.
On radiation, WHO notes that the higher the UV index, the greater the potential damage to skin and eyes, and the less time it takes for harm to occur. The day's peak occurs in the four hours around solar noon.
How to protect yourself these days
Indeci and Senamhi recommend:
- Using sunscreen and avoiding direct sun exposure, especially around midday.
- Wearing a wide-brimmed hat, using an umbrella and sunglasses, and wearing light, loose, light-colored clothing.
- Staying in ventilated, shaded spaces and walking in the shade.
- Drinking more fluids to stay hydrated.
- Keeping young children in ventilated places, making sure they drink fluids, and never leaving them alone in cars in the sun or with the windows closed; breastfeeding babies more often.
If you are an older adult, take medication or have a chronic illness, Indeci advises you to talk to your doctor about other measures to take. Stay informed through Senamhi's official channels.
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Sources
For information only. It does not replace advice from a health professional. Medical disclaimer