Cold Front Brings Temperature Drops and Frost to Southern and Southeastern Brazil

A polar air mass is causing a significant drop in temperatures across Southern and Southeastern Brazil this weekend, with some areas facing frost and extreme cold. In the South, the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) issued orange alerts for a sharp decline in temperatures, with frost expected in Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and southern Paraná. In the Southeast, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and southern Minas Gerais are experiencing a cooling trend. The city of São Paulo saw temperatures drop from over 32°C on Thursday to a predicted minimum of 10°C by Sunday. Consequently, the Municipal Civil Defense has decreed a state of attention for the city of São Paulo and established a Crisis Cabinet to monitor the intense cold through Tuesday.

While the south and southeast cool down, other regions continue to face extreme weather. The North, Northeast, and Center West are experiencing intense heat with temperatures reaching up to 40°C. Critical humidity levels are a major concern in these areas, with some regions in the Center West and North recording humidity below 15 percent. In Goiás, the Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Information (Cimehgo) warned of a high risk of wildfires in 105 municipalities due to the combination of high temperatures, wind, and prolonged drought.

Weather patterns are expected to shift further on Monday. Forecasts indicate increased cloudiness and isolated rain for the coast of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and parts of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais. In the South, temperatures are expected to rise gradually starting Monday, though frost may persist in higher elevations. In Goiás, while a polar air mass may bring a slight drop in minimum temperatures and isolated drizzles between Wednesday and Thursday, officials state these amounts will be insufficient to resolve the ongoing drought.