A cold front moving across the ocean is expected to ease temperatures in some regions of Brazil this Wednesday (15). However, this relief will be a kind of calm before the storm – in this case, the even more intense heat.
For those in a hurry:
- A cold front moving across the ocean will bring a brief reduction in temperatures in some regions of Brazil this Wednesday (15), due to the attraction of moisture from the Amazon to the central region;
- Despite the cold front, the fourth heat wave is expected to reach its peak between Thursday (16) and Friday (17), with 15 states and the Federal District on “great danger” alert due to high temperatures;
- Even with the cold front, the capitals of the Center-West and Southeast, such as Cuiabá, Goiânia and São Paulo, will continue to be strongly impacted by the heat wave, with extreme temperatures;
- Eleven states are under a “danger” or “great danger” alert due to low levels of humidity, increasing the risk of forest fires and health impacts, according to the standards of the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet);
- The South region will experience instability in the coming days, with forecasts of heavy rain showers, wind gusts above 90 km/h and the possibility of hail.
This cold front should attract moisture from the Amazon through the central region of the country, providing a brief reduction in temperatures compared to previous days, according to Climatempo. But the fourth wave of 2023 is expected to reach its peak between this Thursday (16) and Friday (17).
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Heat in Brazil
The peak of the heat wave keeps 15 states and the Federal District on “great danger” alert, precisely because of the high temperatures, as reported by the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet).
Even with the approach of the cold front and the increase in humidity, the capitals of the Central-West and Southeast remain the most affected by the heat wave. In Cuiabá, the forecast is for a maximum of 43°C, while Goiânia could reach 38°C. São Paulo, in turn, may record rain in the afternoon, but temperatures can still reach up to 37°C.
In addition to the high temperatures, Inmet issues alerts for low humidity levels due to the heat wave. Eleven states are under a “danger” or “great danger” warning, including Alagoas, Bahia, Ceará, Goiás, Maranhão, Minas Gerais, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte and Sergipe.
The “danger” stage is declared when relative humidity varies between 20% and 12%, which implies a risk of forest fires and damage to health. The “great danger” alert refers to air humidity below 12%, increasing the risk of fires, lung diseases and headaches.
In the South region, instability will gain strength in the coming days in some areas, causing heavy rain showers. Inmet predicts wind gusts above 90 km/h and hail.
The north of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná should be the regions most affected by the storms. The biggest rainfall accumulations are expected until Thursday, with amounts that could exceed 100 millimeters per day.
