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Weather forecasts indicate that a cold air mass much more intense than previous ones will begin to advance across Brazil on Friday (8) and will reach a much more comprehensive area than any system recorded this year. Temperatures will drop in the South, Southeast, Central-West, and even in the North, causing the first cold snap episode of 2026 in Acre, Rondônia, and southern Amazonas. There is a risk of negative temperatures in municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul, widespread frosts in the three southern states, and the possibility of winter precipitation, including snow, between May 9 and 10.
A cold air mass of unusual proportions is seven days away from sweeping half of Brazil with temperatures that could drop below zero in mountainous regions, widespread frosts from Rio Grande do Sul to Paraná, and the first cold snap episode of 2026 in the Amazon. The system begins to advance on Friday (8) and differs from previous cold waves in its scope: while recent masses were concentrated in the South, this one will cause temperatures to plummet in all states of the Southeast, a large part of the Central-West, and even in Rondônia, Acre, and southern Amazonas.
The most surprising fact is the possibility of snow in the South of the country. Forecasts indicate that around Saturday (9) there will be a combination of precipitation with very cold air in the atmosphere over Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, a condition generally associated with winter precipitation such as freezing rain, sleet, and even snow. It is still too early to confirm, as meteorological models continue to alter the position of the systems, but the window for the first recorded snow in 2026 is open.
What makes this cold air mass different from previous ones
According to information released by Meteored, the cold air mass that advanced over Brazil in previous days was capable of causing negative temperatures in mountainous regions and widespread frosts in Rio Grande do Sul, but it remained restricted to the South and part of the Southeast. The system forecast for next week is much more comprehensive and will affect areas that rarely experience intense cold, including Mato Grosso, southern Goiás, and northern states like Rondônia and Acre.
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A cold front with up to 100 mm of rain advances across Brazil and will turn the long holiday weekend into winter weather with a sharp drop in temperature in the South and Southeast.
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The difference lies in intensity and trajectory. Cold air masses that manage to advance to northern Brazil are exceptional phenomena that constitute what meteorologists call a cold snap, an episode characterized by sharp drops in temperature in tropical regions. The first cold snap episode of 2026 could occur between May 9 and 10, bringing mild temperatures to populations living in permanently hot climates.
The temperatures forecast for each region of Brazil
In the South, minimum temperatures will be below 10°C in much of the region, with a risk of negative values in specific municipalities in mountainous areas. Widespread frosts are expected not only in Rio Grande do Sul, but also in Santa Catarina and Paraná, expanding the agricultural risk area for crops sensitive to cold such as vegetables, fruit farming, and coffee.
In the Southeast, the drop will be felt in all states, with emphasis on São Paulo, southern Minas Gerais, and southern Rio de Janeiro, where minimums below 10°C will also be recorded. The exception is the extreme north of Minas and Espírito Santo, which will be less affected. In the Central-West, Mato Grosso do Sul will have minimums below 10°C, and the cold will reach most of Mato Grosso and southern Goiás. In the North, Rondônia, Acre, and southern Amazonas will experience milder temperatures in a rare cold snap episode.
The possibility of snow in Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina
Forecasts indicate that around Saturday (9) there is potential for precipitation to occur simultaneously with the presence of very cold air in the atmosphere over Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. This type of combination is generally associated with winter precipitation, which can manifest as freezing rain, sleet, or actual snow.
It is important to note that it is still too early to say for sure. Meteorological models continue to alter the position of systems, and the difference between snow and common cold rain can depend on variations of a few degrees in air temperature at different altitudes. If confirmed, it will be the first record of snow in 2026 and an event that mobilizes national attention whenever it happens. The window of possibility is between May 9 and 10, and upcoming forecast updates will bring greater clarity.
The cold snap in the Amazon: when cold arrives where it shouldn’t
The cold snap episode predicted for next week is the first of 2026 and could bring significantly lower than normal temperatures to Rondônia, Acre, and southern Amazonas. A cold snap occurs when a cold air mass is so intense that it manages to overcome the natural barriers that normally prevent the advance of cold to the North of Brazil, a region where daytime temperatures rarely drop below 25°C.
For the populations of the North, accustomed to constant heat, even a drop to 15°C or 18°C is felt as intense cold. The impact is especially harsh for riverside communities and rural populations who do not have warm clothing, blankets, or housing structures prepared for lower temperatures. The cold snap also affects fishing, subsistence agriculture, and the health of the elderly and children in regions where the healthcare system already operates at its limit.
The impact on agriculture and widespread frosts in the three Southern states
The expansion of the frost area to the three states of the South and part of the Southeast represents a significant risk for agriculture. Crops such as coffee, vegetables, fruit farming, and even pastures can suffer severe damage when temperatures drop below zero for prolonged periods, and the forecast of negative minimums in specific municipalities indicates that the risk is real.
For rural producers who have already suffered from previous cold waves, the new cold air mass requires immediate preparation. Sprinkler irrigation during the early morning, covering seedlings with straw or plastic, and lighting controlled bonfires are measures that reduce the impact of frost, but they need to be executed before the system arrives. The seven-day forecast provides enough time for farmers to prepare, provided they follow daily updates.
What to expect in the coming days and how to follow
The cold air mass begins to advance on Friday (8) and its most intense effects are expected to be felt between Saturday (9) and Sunday (10) of May. The recommendation is to follow daily forecast updates, because meteorological models are still adjusting the position and intensity of the systems, and details such as the possibility of snow depend on variations that will only be confirmed with greater proximity.
For Brazilians unaccustomed to cold waves of this magnitude, the warning is simple: prepare warm clothes, protect sensitive plants, check heaters, and be ready for minimums that can surprise even in regions that do not usually experience intense cold. Next week’s cold air mass has the potential to be the most widespread of 2026, and its arrival could mark the definitive transition to winter patterns in Brazil.
Do you believe it will snow in Southern Brazil for the first time in 2026, or do you think the models will change by then? Tell us in the comments how you are preparing for the cold and if your city has already been affected by previous waves.
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