Brazil Tightens Storm Warnings With Rio Grande do Sul Under Orange Alert

Overview

• The National Institute of Meteorology issued an orange danger warning for all of Rio Grande do Sul, citing 30–60 mm/h or 50–100 mm/day of rain, winds of 60–100 km/h and a risk of hail.
• A separate INMET alert covers 313 municipalities in Paraná with up to 50 mm/day of rain and winds up to 60 km/h, while civil defense in Santa Catarina warned of intense storms through Friday.
• São Paulo entered a citywide state of attention for flooding and severe storms on Thursday as INPE reported a roughly 250% jump in lightning in the first two weeks of 2026 versus 2025.
• Heavy rain in Rio de Janeiro’s West Zone caused localized flooding and transit disruptions, including a temporary suspension of BRT Line 17 and multiple incidents recorded by COR-Rio.
• Rio Claro (RJ) declared a municipal emergency after Cemaden measured about 107.2 mm in roughly one hour, and Manaus moved to a state of attention during an afternoon of intense storms.