A polar air mass is bringing intense cold to Southern Brazil and heavy rains to the Southeast starting Wednesday, June 24 [1].
The weather system poses significant risks to public safety, particularly through the threat of landslides in the Southeast and extreme temperature drops in the South.
Meteorologists said the cold front is causing temperatures to plunge across Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. In these southern regions, minimum temperatures are expected to drop below 0°C [1], [4]. This freezing trend is projected to persist through Thursday, June 25 [1].
In the Southeast, the system is manifesting as heavy precipitation and thunderstorms. The regions of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and Espírito Santo are facing alerts for strong rains, lightning, and high winds [3]. These conditions increase the likelihood of landslides in vulnerable areas [3].
Temperature forecasts for the Southeast vary by source. One report said the maximum temperature is 14°C in São Paulo [1]. Other data suggests minimums of 10°C and maximums around 20°C for parts of the region [2].
The movement of this polar air mass is the primary driver of the current weather instability. The combination of a sharp temperature drop and concentrated rainfall creates a high-risk environment for infrastructure and residents in the affected states [1], [2].
“Minimum temperatures are expected to drop below 0°C”
The simultaneous occurrence of freezing temperatures in the south and heavy rains in the southeast highlights the volatility of Brazil's winter weather patterns. The risk of landslides in the southeast suggests that the atmospheric instability is severe enough to threaten geological stability in urban and rural slopes, necessitating urgent civil defense monitoring.
