The Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul issued a severe storm alert on Thursday, July 16, warning of intense rain, hail, and high winds [4].
These weather patterns pose a significant risk to infrastructure and public safety across Southern Brazil. The convergence of a cold front and the El Niño phenomenon is creating a volatile environment characterized by temperatures well below average and extreme precipitation.
Officials said that wind speeds could exceed 90 km/h [1]. The severe weather is expected to persist through approximately July 25, with some areas potentially receiving up to 400 mm of rain during this period [2].
The instability is part of a broader atmospheric shift affecting the South and Southeast regions of Brazil. Earlier this week, on Tuesday, July 14, a sharp cold wave hit the region [5]. This temperature drop resulted in minimums falling below 10°C in parts of São Paulo and Minas Gerais [3].
Meteorologists said the current conditions are due to the influence of El Niño, which increases the likelihood of heavy rainfall and colder-than-normal temperatures in these latitudes [6]. The Civil Defense continues to monitor the progression of the front to coordinate emergency responses.
Residents in the affected states are advised to remain vigilant as the system moves through the region. The combination of saturated soil from heavy rain and high wind speeds often increases the risk of landslides and fallen trees, hazards that the Civil Defense is actively monitoring.
“Wind speeds could exceed 90 km/h”
The intersection of a strong cold front and the El Niño phenomenon is amplifying weather extremes in Brazil. By driving both record-level precipitation and sudden temperature drops, these conditions strain regional drainage systems and emergency services, increasing the vulnerability of urban and rural infrastructure in the South and Southeast.
