Heat Wave Tightens Grip on Brazil’s Center–South as Inmet Extends Alerts Through Dec. 29

Overview

• Inmet warnings now include red‑level areas in parts of the Southeast, South and Center‑West, with coverage across eight states and validity reported through Monday, Dec. 29.
• São Paulo set back‑to‑back December records at the Mirante de Santana station, reaching 36.2°C on Dec. 26 after 35.9°C on Christmas, while Rio topped about 39–41°C and Registro (SP) hit 39.7°C.
• Rio de Janeiro entered Calor 3 on Dec. 24 as SES‑RJ alerted all 92 municipalities to prepare hydration points and thermal refuges, citing higher health risks for vulnerable groups.
• Operational strain is emerging, with Rio reporting spikes in heat‑related emergency visits and São Paulo authorities urging immediate reductions in water use due to surging demand.
• Meteorologists tie the persistence to a hot, dry air mass reinforced by the South Atlantic Subtropical High, with forecasts keeping intense heat through the weekend and flagging localized heavy storms from roughly Dec. 28–31.