Cold Front Sweeps Brazil, Triggers Storm Warnings and Sharp Temperature Drops

Overview

• Inmet issued a localized storm alert for 31 municipalities in southern Espírito Santo warning of up to 50 mm of rain in a day, winds of 40–60 km/h and possible hail.
• Weather services including Climatempo and Inmet report widespread instability with isolated severe storms and wind gusts up to about 70 km/h across parts of the South, Southeast and Central-West.
• The cold front and an associated anticiclone are clearing clouds over the South and driving rapid temperature drops there while the North and central-western areas remain hot with low humidity.
• On Thursday forecasters and on-the-ground reports described abrupt shifts from intense heat to rain, lightning and gusty winds in places such as Mato Grosso do Sul and Porto Alegre, and agencies urged residents to follow Defesa Civil guidance.
• NOAA analysis from late September gives about a 71% chance of La Niña forming this spring which forecasters say could mean more frequent fronts, heavier rain corridors and a continued pattern of alternating storms and heat in October.