Monday Oct-17-11 9:15 a.m.
A Low Pressure System, located 600 kilometers from northern Petén, in the Atlantic Ocean, is slowly moving toward the northeast and has a 60% chance of becoming a Tropical Depression, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in the U.S.A.  This meteorological phenomenon interacts with the Monsoon Through and favors moisture coming in from the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts, producing more clouds and rain over the country.  However, since it’s moving away and because of the distance from the northern part of the country, rain has decreased in the last 24 hours in Petén.

On the other hand, information given by CONRED experts (Newsletter 2177) points out that for midweek a cold front will approach the country. Therefore, an abrupt change in North winds is expected for next Thursday, October 20. This will decrease moisture and then significantly reduce rains in Guatemala.

Alvaro Colom, the Guatemalan president, has declared a state of national calamity for 30 days. Earlier today, the president announced his decision in a press conference. The purpose of this decision was to accelerate assistance to the victims and develop a plan for reconstruction. We will continue to monitor progress on roads in order to reach our different production areas. The Agricultural Technical Department will then determine actual crop condition and corrective actions to be taken in order to recover and reestablish planting programs. We will notify you soon.