Peru’s national weather agency Senamhi issued an orange-level alert for wind gusts reaching up to 40 kilometres per hour along stretches of the Peruvian coast, warning that the event would run for 61 continuous hours from 10:00 on Thursday 30 July to 23:59 on Saturday 1 August 2026.
The agency said the intensifying winds would lift dust and sand, reducing horizontal visibility on coastal roads. Senamhi also forecast cloud cover, fog, and mist along the shoreline during early morning hours, as well as light drizzle overnight.
Increased wind speeds from light to moderate intensity are expected to continue affecting the coastal departments of Arequipa, Ica, Lima, and the Constitutional Province of Callao through Sunday 2 August.
El Niño Costero Pushes Temperatures Above Normal
Senamhi said the 2026 winter season would see air temperatures well above historical averages on the Peruvian coast, driven by the development of the Coastal El Niño phenomenon. In Metropolitan Lima, districts near the sea are forecast to see temperatures ranging between 17°C in the early morning and 23°C during the day. Inland districts including La Molina, Ate, Santa Anita, and San Juan de Lurigancho could reach highs of up to 27°C.
The warming effect was already visible in Piura and Tumbes, where Senamhi meteorological stations recorded temperatures of up to 36°C during July, which the agency linked directly to ocean warming caused by El Niño Costero. Jorge Carranza, director of Senamhi’s Dirección Zonal 01 in Piura, told the Andina news agency that the Miraflores station in Piura city recorded a maximum of 34.2°C, surpassing the monthly normal by 6.5°C, while the San Miguel station in Catacaos reached 36.0°C, which was 7.9°C above average.
Highland Communities Face Severe Cold
While the coast swelters, communities in Peru’s high Andean zones are facing the opposite extreme. Senamhi reported that overnight temperatures in the central and southern sierra would continue falling until at least 3 August, with areas above 4,000 metres above sea level potentially dropping to -19°C. Authorities called on residents to reinforce protective measures against the intense cold and to safeguard the most vulnerable members of their communities.
For the departments of Cajamarca and La Libertad, Senamhi’s Dirección Zonal 3 forecast variable atmospheric conditions between 31 July and 8 August that could affect agricultural and livestock activities in the region.
Flood Prevention Works Under Way
In response to the approaching El Niño conditions, the Municipality of Ventanilla launched prevention works on the Chillón River near the Víctor Raúl area, on the boundary between Callao and Ventanilla. The work aims to reduce the risk of overflow and flooding that could threaten nearby homes and infrastructure.
Senamhi urged the public to check official weather advisories before travelling or undertaking outdoor activities, noting that sudden changes in conditions can occur across different regions of the country.
