Between Thursday (16) and Friday (17), Brazil faces the arrival of its first wave of storms linked to the El Niño phenomenon. While the South and parts of the Midwest brace for moderate to strong winds, other regions face contrasting conditions ranging from potential frost in the Southeast to low humidity alerts in the center of the country.
Storm Activity and Wind Risks in the South
The Inmet forecast indicates that the El Niño phenomenon favors the current instability. In Rio Grande do Sul, rain and thunderstorms are expected to advance on Friday, with alerts for storms covering nearly the entire state. The region is also under an orange danger warning for wind, which is expected to intensify on Friday across western Paraná, western Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul. Despite the storm activity, temperatures are projected to rise, with some areas in Rio Grande do Sul reaching highs of 30°C.
Dry Conditions and Frost in the Southeast
While the South deals with storms, the Southeast remains stable with a predominance of clear skies on Friday. However, the region faces low temperatures during the early morning hours. Inmet has issued a potential danger warning for frost in southern Minas Gerais, the Campos do Jordão region in São Paulo, and the mountainous areas of Resende, Rio de Janeiro. Minimum temperatures in these elevated points may dip to 3°C, while afternoons will reach 30°C in the Triângulo Mineiro and western São Paulo.
Did You Know? The El Niño phenomenon is responsible for the increased transport of heat and moisture that is contributing to the formation of areas of instability over Rio Grande do Sul, according to data from Inmet.
Midwest Humidity Alerts and Northward Rain
The Midwest is experiencing a divide between heat and dryness. Inmet has issued potential danger warnings for low relative humidity across Goiás, the Federal District, and eastern Mato Grosso do Sul, an area that will expand to eastern and northeastern Mato Grosso on Friday. Meanwhile, northern and western Mato Grosso will see intensifying rains and thunderstorms on Friday. In the North, clouds and scattered showers are expected to increase on Friday across Roraima, Acre, Amazonas, Amapá, and northern and western Pará, with maximum temperatures of 34°C in Roraima and Tocantins.
Coastal Weather in the Northeast
A cold front positioned over the Atlantic Ocean is maintaining cloud cover and rain along the eastern coast of the Northeast. Inmet warns of potential heavy rains on Thursday for the coastal and Agreste regions of Sergipe, Alagoas, and Pernambuco. By Friday, these rains will concentrate between northern Alagoas and the east of Pernambuco, Paraíba, and Rio Grande do Norte. Interior areas of the region are expected to see skies varying between clear and few clouds, with maximum temperatures reaching 34°C in Piauí and the interiors of Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte.

Frequently Asked Questions
Which regions are under the highest risk for severe weather?
Rio Grande do Sul is under an alert for storms and an orange warning for wind. Additionally, coastal areas of Sergipe, Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraíba, and Rio Grande do Norte face alerts for heavy rain.
Where is frost expected to occur?
Conditions for frost are forecasted for the early morning hours in southern Minas Gerais, the Campos do Jordão region in São Paulo, and the mountainous areas of Resende, Rio de Janeiro.
What is causing the low humidity alerts in the Midwest?
The Inmet forecast indicates that low relative humidity affects Goiás, the Federal District, and parts of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul.
How do you plan to prepare for these shifting weather conditions in your region?
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