Brazilian meteorological agencies have forecast a mix of high temperatures, isolated rain, and thunderstorms across the country for the Easter holiday.
These weather patterns could disrupt travel and safety for millions of citizens moving across the national territory during the Semana Santa period, which includes Good Friday on April 3, Saturday on April 4, and Easter Sunday on April 5 [2, 4].
The National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) said there would be intense rainfall in some areas, with volumes reaching up to 100 mm [1]. In the Southeast region, forecast services said that wind speeds could reach 100 km/h [1]. These conditions contrast with other reports suggesting that rain may remain isolated and limited to specific areas in the Southeast [5].
Temperature spikes are expected in major urban centers. São Paulo is projected to reach a maximum temperature of 32 °C [3], while Rio de Janeiro could see highs of 35 °C [3]. Recent activity in Rio de Janeiro already showed signs of instability, with wind gusts of 78 km/h recorded on Thursday, April 2 [5].
In São Paulo, the risk of thunderstorms was identified as early as Tuesday, March 31 [6]. Private forecast services, including Climatempo and Tempo OK, have worked alongside INMET to provide updates to the public and travelers [1, 3].
While some reports emphasize national intensity, others suggest a more localized impact. The variation in forecasts highlights the volatility of the current weather system affecting the Southeast and Espírito Santo [2, 4].
“Rainfall volumes up to 100 mm expected in some areas”
The divergence between national alerts for intense rain and local forecasts for isolated showers suggests a highly unstable atmospheric pattern. For travelers, this means that while some regions may experience clear skies and heat, others could face sudden, severe thunderstorms and high winds, increasing the risk of transit delays and infrastructure stress during one of Brazil's busiest holiday windows.
