A severe cold wave is peaking across the center-south of Brazil this Wednesday and Thursday [1].
The weather event poses significant risks to agriculture and public health in the region, as temperatures plummet to near-freezing levels in several states.
According to meteorological data, the cold wave will reach its peak on Wednesday, June 24, and Thursday, June 25 [1]. The drop in temperature is caused by a cold front followed by a polar air mass moving toward the south of the country [1, 5].
In the southern region, temperatures are expected to fall below 0°C in high-altitude areas [1]. This dip has created a high risk of frost across the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Paraná [1]. Other regions of the country are also seeing temperatures close to 0°C [2].
While the south faces the most extreme conditions, the southeast is also affected. In São Paulo, the temperature is expected to hit a peak low of 4°C on Wednesday [3]. This chill is projected to last throughout the week [3].
The interaction between the advancing cold front and the polar mass continues to displace frigid air across the center-south corridor [1, 5]. Local authorities and farmers are monitoring the frost risks, which can cause extensive crop damage in the affected southern states [1].
“Temperatures are expected to fall below 0°C in high-altitude areas”
The arrival of a polar air mass during the winter season in the Southern Hemisphere increases the likelihood of agricultural losses due to frost. Because the cold wave affects both the South and Southeast, including major urban centers like São Paulo, it puts pressure on public infrastructure and energy demand for heating.
