Aspectos generales de la Canícula y sus impactos en El Salvador
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Date
2003
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Tópicos Meteorológicos y Oceanográficos
Abstract
The “Canícula” is characterized by a significant rainfall decrease in July-August, in the middle of the rainfall season.
Another period with a relative rainfall decrease occur in June (it starts around June 24). It is known as “Veranillo de San
Juan”, term used particularly in Costa Rica and Panama.
In El Salvador, the Canícula’s period is characterized by a decrease in the rainfall amount and number of rainy days
and an increase in the number of consecutive dry days. This period is observed with more frequency in the second decade of July and in the first decade of August.
The dry period of July is more intense than the one occurring in August. During some “El Niño” events both periods are more intense and extended and they may combine in one Canícula, which may be transformed in drought depending of
the rainfall accumulated during June. Droughts affect the agricultural sector and produce economic and social impacts.
The oriental region of El Salvador is the one most affected by such dry periods. In this region, the Canícula starts earlier and ends later than in other regions. The Canícula also affect the lower areas of the Occidental part of the country, particularly the coast and around Güija lake, but the period of rainfall deficit is shorter and it start later than in the country’s
oriental region.
The best known atmospheric pattern that modulates the Canícula is the strengthen of the semi-stationary high pressure in the North Atlantic and the appearance in some occasions of other high pressure in the Gulf of Mexico, which
intensify the flow (the trade winds) in the Caribbean. The mountain chains of Central America produced ascend of the air and the consequent rain on the Caribbean side, while in the Pacific side dry conditions are observed.
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García, L., Fernández, W. y Rivas, T. (2003). Aspectos generales de la Canícula y sus impactos en El Salvador. Tópicos Meteorológicos y Oceanográficos, 10(2), 63-68.