Lluvias torrenciales hasta el sábado: Mapa de las regiones en alerta máxima

TL;DR: A almighty "atmospheric river" (think: a occurrence hose of h2o successful the sky) is hitting Chile from northbound to southbound this week. The worst time is Friday, July 31. Some areas could get implicit 100mm of rain—that’s similar dumping a bathtub of h2o connected each quadrate meter! Santiago gets a mean soak (~21mm), and a second storm follows close down implicit the weekend.

What Is an "Atmospheric River"? (ELI5 Explanation)

Imagine a giant, invisible stream floating successful the sky. Instead of liquid h2o you tin see, it carries massive amounts of h2o vapor (invisible gas). When this sky-river hits land—especially mountains—it gets squeezed similar a bedewed sponge, dumping tons of rain successful a abbreviated time.

Key Fact: This isn’t conscionable a regular rainy day. It’s a "Category 4-5" atmospheric stream connected a 1-5 scale. Think of it similar a hurricane’s rain—without the hurricane winds.

Timeline: When Will It Hit?

Region-by-Region Breakdown

RED ZONE: Over 100mm Rain (Bathtub Level!)

Regions: Maule, Ñuble, Biobío, La Araucanía (interior sectors)

• Timeframe: Wednesday → Saturday morning
• Hotspots: Around Arauco and Constitución
• Why it’s dangerous: Ground already bedewed from erstwhile rains → precocious flood/landslide risk

ORANGE ZONE: Severe Impact (Not "Beneficial" Rain)

Region: Coquimbo (especially Combarbalá)

• Amount: Up to 45 mm — but all successful ~12 hours connected Friday
• Meteorologist Jaime Leyton’s nonstop words: "Coquimbo volition beryllium severely affected, not benefited"
• Extra risk: Area inactive recovering from past tempest → "superávit" (surplus water) means crushed can’t sorb more

YELLOW ZONE: Broad Coverage Friday Only

Regions: Antofagasta → Aysén (plus drizzle successful Tarapacá)

• When: Only Friday, July 31
• Duration: ~12 hours of continuous rain

GREEN ZONE: Normal Winter Rain

Region: Metropolitana (Santiago)

• Amount: ~21 mm total
• Context: Typical for this clip of twelvemonth — manageable

Bonus Hazards (It’s Not Just Rain!)

• Strong winds — tin sound down trees/power lines
• Marejadas (storm surges) — unsafe coastal waves
• Thunderstorms — successful "puntual sectors" (specific spots)
• Possible tornadic activity — not ruled retired successful terrible cells

IMPORTANT CALLOUT:
The Friday "Compression" Effect
In Coquimbo and central-north zones, ALL the rainfall falls successful ~12 hours.
→ That’s similar a period of rainfall successful fractional a day.
→ Flash floods tin hap fast.
→ Stay disconnected roads if imaginable Friday.
→ Check drains/gutters now.

5 Simple Steps to Prepare (Do These Today!)

1. Clear your drains & gutters — leaves + dense rainfall = flooded yard/house
2. Charge everything — phones, powerfulness banks, exigency lights (wind knocks retired power)
3. Secure escaped items — patio furniture, trash cans, extortion sheets (wind + rainfall = projectiles)
4. Check your route — if you must thrust Friday, cognize alternate roads; ne'er transverse flooded roads
5. Pack a "go bag" — meds, documents, water, snacks, lukewarm apparel (just successful case)

What Happens After Saturday?

Don’t unbend yet!
A second frontal system arrives Saturday and hits central Chile by Sunday.
It whitethorn beryllium weaker, but connected already soaked ground, adjacent mean rainfall causes problems.

Quick Summary

FAQ (Your Questions, Answered Simply)

1. "Is this clime change?"

Single storms aren’t "caused" by clime change, but warmer oceans = much evaporation = stronger atmospheric rivers. Scientists expect these "sky rivers" to get wetter and much aggravated implicit time.

2. "Should I evacuate?"

Only if authorities accidental so. If you unrecorded adjacent a river, successful a debased area, oregon connected a hillside with landslide past — have a program ready. Listen to ONEMI/Sernageomin alerts.

3. "Can I thrust Friday?"

Avoid it if possible. If you must:

• Leave aboriginal (before highest rain)
• Never thrust done h2o covering the roadworthy (6 inches = nonaccomplishment of control; 12 inches = car floats)
• Watch for fallen trees/power lines

4. "Will my pat h2o beryllium affected?"

Heavy rainfall tin marque stream h2o muddy → attraction plants whitethorn struggle. Fill bottles/jugs today conscionable successful case.

5. "What’s the quality betwixt this and a mean wintertime front?"

Final Thought

Chile knows wintertime storms. But this 1 packs a double punch:

1. Extreme intensity (atmospheric river)
2. Bad timing (ground already bedewed + 2nd tempest Sunday)

Stay informed. Stay dry. Look retired for neighbors.

Sources: Alejandro Sepúlveda & Jaime Leyton (Megatiempo), ONEMI, Dirección Meteorológica de Chile. Article based connected forecast information from July 2020.