Heatwave Weakens as Storms Return to Center-South Brazil, Red Alert Still in Effect

Overview

• Inmet maintains a maximum-risk red alert for 1,284 municipalities through Monday, covering all of São Paulo and Rio and parts of PR, MG, ES, GO, MS and SC.
• São Paulo hit 37.2°C at the Mirante de Santana station on Sunday, setting a December mark as capitals saw temperature anomalies up to about 7.8°C above average.
• Climatempo and MetSul forecast a reduction of the most extreme heat as fronts organize widespread storms this week, with Rio expected to stay very hot into early January.
• Meteorologists and disaster agencies warn of heavy rain, flooding, strong winds and hail, with the South already recording 150–300 mm, gusts near 97 km/h and a reported tornado in Serra Gaúcha.
• Health and services remain strained, with Rio averaging roughly 450 heat-related attendances per day and São Paulo’s reservoirs near 26% as the state readies a crisis cabinet and urges water savings.