Alert: Historic heat wave approaches two regions of Brazil.
The Center of Brazil is facing an extraordinary climate condition, with an imminent intense heat wave. According to the alert issued by MetSul Meteorology, the projected temperatures for the end of April and beginning of May, especially in the regions Midwest and Southeast, are forecast to reach historic levels, well above the standard for this time of year.
Heat this season is predicted to be significantly higher than historical averages. In some cities, temperature peaks may reach levels never before recorded for the end of April and May. It is estimated that maximum temperatures exceed 40ºC in areas of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, a completely unusual phenomenon for this time of year.
Heat intensity
In addition to the intensity of the heat, the persistence of this period of hot weather is notable. Although cold fronts normally bring some relief in autumn, data indicates that the heat will continue for a prolonged period.
Meteorological models point to very high temperatures in the Southeast and Midwest not only until the end of April, but also throughout the first week of May, totaling at least ten more days of intense heat.
Historical records and meteorological projections are alarming
A survey by MetSul, based on data from the National Institute of Meteorology, reveals that the highest temperatures recorded since 1961 in the last week of April until 2023 were surprising. Cities like Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Campo Grande, Cuiabá, Curitiba, Florianópolis, Goiânia, Porto Alegre and São Paulo presented significant marks, some of them exceeding 30ºC.
Recently, Cuiabá reached a maximum temperature of 37,2ºC, surpassing the highest maximum temperature recorded in the last week of April so far, of 37,1ºC in 1998. Meanwhile, São Paulo is on the verge of breaking the 2016 record, with forecasts of maximum temperatures above 31,3ºC. Belo Horizonte could also reach 30ºC, while Brasília and Goiânia are approaching the peaks recorded in 2016. On the other hand, cities such as Curitiba, Florianópolis and Porto Alegre are not expected to exceed historic temperature peaks.
Heat wave in the Southeast
In the coming days, the heat will be particularly intense in the interior of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. In the interior of São Paulo, maximum temperatures above 35ºC will be a daily occurrence, with some days exceeding 40ºC.
The coast of São Paulo will also not escape the extreme heat. Yesterday, Bebedouro (SP) recorded 36,2ºC, while other cities in the interior exceeded 37,5ºC. In the city of São Paulo, maximum temperatures are expected to reach 33ºC in the last days of April and up to 34ºC in the first week of May, completely abnormal marks for this time of year.
In Rio de Janeiro the the energy emitted by heat is stressful, some afternoons will have temperatures between 35ºC and 38ºC, with maximums above 40ºC on some days. In Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, the heat will also be intense, although less extreme than in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
In the south of Brazil, it is in Paraná that a more persistent heat wave is expected. Cities in the west and north of the state will have very high maximum temperatures for this time of year, with temperatures often exceeding 35ºC.
Even Curitiba should experience many days with highs between 27ºC and 29ºC, well above the average for the month of May.
In short, the Center of Brazil is preparing to face an unprecedented climate situation, with historic and prolonged temperatures that defy climatological norms. This requires attention and precautionary measures from the population and authorities.
