Overview

• On August 1, an unusually close South Pacific anticyclone generated high-speed downslope winds that lifted large volumes of sand and dust over coastal deserts.
• The Ica region experienced the strongest impact as gusts up to 50 km/h halted road traffic and tourism for about three hours.
• Arequipa, Moquegua, Tacna and parts of Lima also reported dust uplift and significant visibility reductions.
• Senamhi warns that moderate to strong winds will continue through the weekend, posing ongoing risks of isolated dust and sand events.
• Such severe coastal dust storms are rare in southern Peru’s desert environment and are closely monitored by the national meteorological service and Ministry of Environment.