Peru's National Meteorology and Hydology Service (SENAMHI) has told website Gestion.pe an El Niño weather phenomenon could be possible if increased air and water temperatures continue for the next four months on the country's coast.

The story reported temperatures in Peru's northern region have been three degrees Celsius higher than average, causing negative effects for the agriculture, fishing and textile industries.

SENAMHI head of climatology Ena Jaimes, told the website the higher temperatures were caused by a mass of hot water from the Western Pacific, which could lead to an El Niño phenomenon if the trend spreads and remains across Peru's entire coastline for three to four months.

"That wave arrived on the Peruvian coast in early May, resulting in an increase in degrees in the ocean temperature, and it's the cause of the increased rainfall in the second half of the month," Jaimes was quoted as saying.

Jaimes said a second hot mass of water - also known as a 'Kelvin wave' - was heading towards the South American coast and would likely arrive in the first half of June, although it would not be as warm as its predecessor, the story reported.

Infoclim@ director Abraham Levy said higher temperatures could lead to late flowering of mango plants in Lambayeque and Piura, while Agromar Group manager Fabián Hidalgo added that rains in April had already battered plantations.

The story reported if the high temperatures continued until August there would be negative effects for the coloration of citrus fruits, while artichokes would likely be smaller.

Photo: Pima Piura

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