Heatwave Grips Brazil's Southeast and Central-West with Record Temperatures and Health Warnings
A severe heatwave is impacting southern and central Brazilian states with record temperatures and official health warnings through December 29.
- • Inmet maintains red alert for heatwaves in Southeast, South, and Central-West Brazil until December 29.
- • São Paulo recorded a record December temperature of 36.2°C, with Rio de Janeiro forecasted to reach 39°C.
- • Heatwave is caused by atmospheric blocking, intensifying dry and hot conditions.
- • Health officials warn vulnerable groups about heat illness symptoms and provide guidance to stay safe.
Key details
Brazil is currently enduring an intense heatwave affecting multiple states in the Southeast, South, and Central-West regions, with temperatures soaring up to 5°C above historical averages for this time of year. The Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (Inmet) has maintained a red alert — the highest level of warning — for this heatwave through Monday, December 29, covering entire states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, as well as parts of Paraná, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Espírito Santo.
São Paulo recorded a new historical maximum temperature for December, hitting 36.2°C on December 26 at the Mirante de Santana monitoring station, the highest since records began in 1961. Rio de Janeiro is experiencing even higher peaks, with temperatures forecasted to reach up to 39°C. This heatwave is attributed to an atmospheric blocking phenomenon that suppresses rainfall, leading to dry and hot conditions. Despite forecasts indicating isolated thunderstorms in some affected areas over the weekend, water reservoir levels in São Paulo remain critical at just 26% capacity, a significant dip from previous years.
Public health authorities have emphasized the heightened risk posed by this heatwave, especially in urban centers where the heat island effect intensifies temperatures. Vulnerable populations include the elderly, children, pregnant women, individuals with preexisting health conditions such as cardiac, respiratory, renal, or circulatory diseases, diabetics, and the homeless. Symptoms of heat-related illnesses reported include excessive sweating, dizziness, headaches, nausea, muscle cramps, and diarrhea. Since early December, emergency services in São Paulo have attended nine calls related to heat exposure.
Healthcare advisories recommend staying well hydrated, wearing suitable clothing, avoiding outdoor activities during peak heat hours, and consuming light meals. Individuals experiencing severe symptoms are urged to seek prompt medical attention.
This ongoing heatwave exemplifies significant meteorological stress compounded by low water reserves and public health challenges, prompting sustained vigilance from meteorological and health authorities as the high temperatures persist through the end of December.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
