A deadly heatwave left its signature on the land in Argentina. This image is a compilation of land surface temperatures observed by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's Terra satellite between 19-26 December 2013, compared to average temperatures for the same period in 2000-2012. Nearly the entire country was much warmer than normal, with some locations reaching temperatures more than 15° Celsius above average. Graphic: Jesse Allen / NASA Earth Observatory

By Holli Riebeek
8 January 2014 (NASA) – A deadly heatwave left its signature on the land in Argentina. This image is a compilation of land surface temperatures observed by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite between December 19 -26, 2013, compared to average temperatures for the same period in 2000-2012. Nearly the entire country was much warmer than normal, with some locations reaching temperatures more than 15° Celsius above average. Argentina was in the midst of an intense two-week-long heatwave when the image was acquired. According to news reports, air temperatures reached as high as 45° C (113° F) in central Argentina. High demand for air-conditioning led to widespread power outages and water shortages, said the Buenos Aires Herald. References

  • AccuWeather.com (2013, December 29) Argentina heat wave continues this weekend. Accessed 7 January 2014.
  • BBC News (2013, December 31) Heatwave kills seven in Argentina. Accessed 7 January 2014.
  • Buenos Aires Herald (2014, January 2) Relief comes as heatwave starts to break. Accessed 7 January 2014.
  • Weather Underground (2013, December 30) Heatwave in Argentina, flooding in Brazil. Accessed 7 January 2014.

    • Heat Wave in Argentina