Typically, Tacna region records the lowest temperatures in Peru, according to Senamhi expert Guadalupe Miranda, who recalled the small village of Chuapalca reached -28.3 degrees Celsius in July 2003.
Located at 4,200 meters above sea level, Chuapalca is a very cold place where very few people live. Inhabitants raise South American camelids and “when it snows in the area, its depth can reach 30 centimeters,” she told Andina news agency.
Temperatures fell to -11.6 °C on Thursday May 5, -13.6 °C on May 12, -11.8 °C on May 13, -12.5 °C on May 15, and between -7 and -9 degrees Celsius before that.
“Yesterday’s temperature was -12.5 °C and today -15.5 °C. According to our forecast, minimum temperatures at this place might range between -22 and -24 degrees in June end or early July, because these months witness the lowest temperatures along the southern highlands,” the expert noted.
The maximum temperature in Chuapalca will be 18 degrees Celsius.
According to Miranda, other freezing areas in Tacna are Vilacota —also with little population— which hit -15 °C, and Paucarani.
Tarata, a high Andean area at 3,220 meters above sea level, has recorded -1.2 °C, she continued.
In Tacna City, temperatures range between 11 and 14 degrees. “They dropped to 8 degrees in previous years, due to a harsh winter.”
Early in the morning the sky of city is usually covered by clouds, but conditions can vary from cloudy to clear. “We are lucky, because during the fall/winter transition season sunlight is always present from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., that is, six hours of sunshine on average,” she underlined.
(END) TMC/RMB/MVB
Published: 5/19/2016