New Zealand Local Weather Forum

Weather Discussion => International => Topic started by: Mark on February 08, 2019, 07:13:00 AM

Title: Atacama desert, world's driest place suffers massive flooding in northern Chile
Post by: Mark on February 08, 2019, 07:13:00 AM

https://www.sott.net/article/406712-Atacama-desert-worlds-driest-place-suffers-massive-flooding-in-northern-Chile

Heavy showers on high altitudes in northern Chile have caused dry river beds to become rushing torrents of water.

The flooding has left one dead, one child missing and over 1,200 homeless, according to officials.

Title: Re: Atacama desert, world's driest place suffers massive flooding in northern Chile
Post by: Rwood on February 08, 2019, 09:53:00 AM

Confined to high altitudes - no rain (as normal) for the coastal cities. At Calama (2270m ASL) there have been some brief showers but nothing exceptional. At higher Andean altitudes - over say 3500m - rainfalls are erratic but summer usually sees some significant falls.