INMET Warns of Severe Storms Across 17 Brazilian States Starting Friday

Overview

• Brazil’s national meteorological service issued a danger-level alert beginning at midnight on January 2, covering the entire Southeast plus 13 other states, with some forecasts also flagging Rio Grande do Sul.
• The forecast calls for heavy rainfall near 100 mm in a day, wind gusts between 60 and 100 km/h, and a risk of hail across affected regions.
• São Paulo’s government activated a crisis cabinet to coordinate response as forecasters expect elevated rain totals through January 4 in areas such as the Baixada Santista, Litoral Norte, Campinas, Vale do Ribeira, and the metro region.
• In Bahia’s far west, INMET warned for January 1 of storms with 30–60 mm per hour or 50–100 mm in a day, strong wind gusts up to 100 km/h, and possible hail affecting municipalities including Barreiras and Luís Eduardo Magalhães.
• Authorities urge the public to avoid flooded areas, seek shelter during lightning, disconnect electronics, and call Defesa Civil (199) or Corpo de Bombeiros (193), with São Paulo’s Tamoios highway old segment closed preventively due to landslide risk.