Rio de Janeiro recorded its coldest dawn of the year on May 12, 2024, accompanied by a strong sea surge [1, 2].
This weather event highlights the impact of a cold front that moved across the state earlier in the week. The combination of plummeting temperatures and coastal instability disrupted urban infrastructure and daily routines for residents and visitors in the city.
The lowest temperature was recorded in Jacarepaguá, located in the city's West Zone, where thermometers hit 13.2 °C [2]. This mark represents the coldest temperature registered so far this year [2]. Forecasts indicated that the maximum temperature for the day would only reach 21 °C [2].
Beyond the temperature drop, the city faced a severe sea surge. Powerful waves struck the coast, specifically impacting the South Zone. The intensity of the water reached a point where authorities were forced to close Avenida Atlântica in the Leblon neighborhood [1].
Local officials said the extreme conditions were due to a cold front that arrived in the state at the beginning of the week [3]. This atmospheric system lowered temperatures across the region and generated the high-energy waves that hit the shoreline.
Residents in the West Zone experienced the most significant chill, while those in the South Zone dealt with the immediate physical impact of the ocean's surge. The closure of a primary thoroughfare like Avenida Atlântica is a rare occurrence, typically reserved for extreme weather events that threaten public safety on the beachfront.
“Rio de Janeiro recorded its coldest dawn of the year on May 12, 2024”
The simultaneous occurrence of a record-low temperature and a disruptive sea surge demonstrates the volatility of the current cold front. While Rio de Janeiro is typically associated with tropical warmth, these events underscore the city's vulnerability to seasonal atmospheric shifts that can paralyze key coastal infrastructure.
