The Meteorology and Hydrology Directorate (DMH) of Paraguay has issued alerts for a weekend of severe weather conditions, including strong wind gusts and an organized storm system. The warnings went into effect on the afternoon and evening of Friday, July 31, with moderate to strong winds from the north/northeast, with gusts that could reach 60 km/h in most of the country and up to 90 km/h in the west of the Western Region (Chaco).
The most significant phenomenon, however, is the arrival of a storm system that is expected to affect the entire national territory between Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2. According to the special meteorological bulletin, the first rains and storms are expected in the early hours and morning of Saturday in the southern departments: Ñeembucú, Misiones, and Itapúa.
As the day progresses, the system will expand to the center, north, and east of the country, reaching the capital, Asunción, and the departments of Central, Cordillera, Paraguarí, Guairá, Caazapá, Caaguazú, Alto Paraná, Canindeyú, San Pedro, Concepción, Amambay, as well as Presidente Hayes and Alto Paraguay in the Chaco. The instability is expected to persist through the early hours of Sunday, mainly in the northern and eastern regions, with a gradual improvement forecast for midday.
The conditions associated with this system are considered dangerous. Significant rainfall accumulations are expected, between 20 and 50 millimeters, wind gusts that could again reach 90 km/h, a high frequency of lightning, and a high probability of hail in a localized manner in the most affected areas.
Authorities recommend that the public take precautions, such as avoiding travel on public roads during the peak of the storm, not taking shelter under trees, and securing objects that could be knocked down or carried away by the force of the wind.