Global Courant
Arlene, the first tropical storm during the 2023 Atlantic storm season, once reached maximum winds of up to 40 miles per hour (65 km/h) moving slowly across the Gulf of Mexico.
However, by Saturday, June 3, it weakened during its trajectory and was downgraded to the category of tropical depression.
Although it lost its strength, the system left rains and electrical storms upon reaching Cuba, although the island was already reporting floods due to rains from previous days.
For its part, the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology (Insivumeh) reported that it was continuing to monitor the system, which had no effect on the national territory, although the seasonal rains persisted over the weekend between June 3 and 4.
Also read: What is the El Niño phenomenon and how it will influence the hurricane season in the Atlantic
Weather in Guatemala
It is expected that for this week between Monday, June 5 and Friday, June 9, the season’s rains will continue to occur in most regions of the country.
The Insivumeh reported that the entry of moisture from both coastlines and high temperatures would be causing severe local storms (strong rain, wind, electrical activity, sometimes accompanied by hail) in high places.
Due to these conditions, the entity recommended that the population and emergency institutions be aware of the next updates. He also warned about the possibility of flooding, landslides and damage to roads.
According to the Insivumeh forecast, the largest accumulated rainfall for the second week of June will be registered in the northwestern and southwestern departments.
The meteorological maps show that these are the departments that will be registering the highest accumulated rainfall in the coming days:
Monday – San Marcos Quetzaltenango, Baja Verapaz, Huehuetenango Tuesday – Huehuetenango, San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, Totonicapán, Guatemala, Jalapa, Chiquimula, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango and Sacatepéquez (being the day with the highest accumulated rainfall) Wednesday – Chiquimula, Jalapa, Quetzaltenango and Sololá Thursday – less rainfall in the southern region of the country Friday – less rainfall in the southern region of the country, some regions of Chiquimula and Jutiapa During the second week of June 2023, it is expected that next Tuesday, June 6, it will register the largest accumulated rainfall. (Map: Insivumeh)
Season
The official hurricane season in the Atlantic basin began on June 1, with forecasts indicating that the number of cyclones may be within the average and the unknown of how the El Niño phenomenon will affect it.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States, foresees a hurricane season in the Atlantic “almost normal”, as announced on May 25.
It is estimated that there will be at least 12 storms in the Atlantic, of which he estimates that between five and nine could become hurricanes.
A total of 14 named storms were recorded in the Atlantic in 2022, of which nine; Bonnie, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Ian, Julia, Lisa, Martin and Nicole, reached hurricane category.
Also read: “Cyclones will be more erratic and intense”: The warning of experts about the rainy season in Guatemala
With information from EFE*
