The city of São Joaquim in Santa Catarina recorded the coldest temperature in Brazil for the year during April 2024.
This temperature drop highlights the extreme climatic variability of the Serra region, which often serves as the primary indicator for winter-like conditions in the Southern Hemisphere's tropical zone.
Reports on the exact timing and temperature of the event vary between sources. CNN Brasil said that the city recorded -4.61°C [1] around six a.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2024 [3]. However, data from Epagri/Ciram cited by MSN indicated the temperature dropped further to -6.3°C [2] on Wednesday, April 11, 2024 [4].
"A cidade de São Joaquim registrou -4,61°C por volta das 6h," a CNN Brasil reporter said [1].
Other monitoring data provided a lower figure for the region. "De acordo com o Epagri/Ciram, a mínima chegou a -6,3°C," Epagri/Ciram said [2].
São Joaquim is located in the highlands of Santa Catarina, where the altitude contributes to significantly lower temperatures than the Brazilian coast. These freezing events are common in the Serra region, though the specific low of -6.3°C [2] marks a notable peak for the annual cycle.
Local authorities and meteorological services continue to monitor these shifts to provide warnings for agriculture and residents in the highland areas. The discrepancy in reporting dates between April 11 and 12 suggests a prolonged period of cold air mass movement across the state.
“São Joaquim in Santa Catarina recorded the coldest temperature in Brazil for the year”
The recording of sub-zero temperatures in April 2024 underscores the role of the Serra region as a climatic outlier in Brazil. Because these temperatures impact frost-sensitive crops and local infrastructure, the variance in reporting between -4.61°C and -6.3°C reflects the challenges of precise micro-climate monitoring in high-altitude terrain.
