Brazil Faces Christmas Week Heat as South Confronts Severe Storm Threat

Overview

• Inmet projects heatwave conditions across the Center–South, with Rio under local Calor 2 alerts and forecast highs near 39–41 °C.
• Southern states remain under storm warnings, with Inmet citing 100–200 mm of rain in Rio Grande do Sul and parts of Santa Catarina, plus hail risk and gusts up to 100 km/h.
• São Paulo is forecast to reach 35–36 °C on Dec. 24–25, with afternoon and evening showers or storms possible and lower daytime humidity.
• Civil defense agencies urge precautions for heat stress and storm hazards as localized severe events have already occurred, including a brief tornado in Farroupilha and damage in Lages.
• Forecasters expect the persistent pattern to ease with more organized showers and some temperature moderation beginning around Dec. 26–29.