Heat wave hits the country next week

Get ready to feel the heat like never before, but don’t forget to thank global warming for it. The heat wave that has left Brazilians baking in the sun for the past few weeks is about to reach its peak, bringing absurdly high temperatures to the center-north of the country. This phenomenon, courtesy of an atmospheric blocking pattern, is preventing rain systems from making anything more than a timid visit to the South and Southeast. The sweltering weather is expected to last until the end of the month, with cold fronts having difficulty penetrating the southern and eastern territories of Brazil.

Hot weekend

The big climax of this heat wave is scheduled for the end of this week, when temperatures are expected to explode into the 40°C range in several locations in the South and Southeast regions. If you think that’s hot, wait until you hear that in the central and northern areas of the country, thermometers could reach 43°C. For those who live in states like Mato Grosso, Rondônia and Amazonas, this will be the time to remember the classic advice: “drink lots of water and avoid the sun between 10 am and 4 pm.”

The week even starts with a little relief in the South and East of the Southeast, thanks to some timid winds coming from the south that bring colder air. This momentary relief should be felt mainly in Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and on the coast of Paraná, where maximum temperatures should not exceed 20°C. Enjoy it while you can, because this relief will last less than the promise of a new diet.

South

But, starting Wednesday, nature shows that it is not joking around. A new low pressure is forming between Rio Grande do Sul, Uruguay and Argentina, and with it, the heat begins to invade the center-south of Brazil. While the east of Santa Catarina, the coast of Paraná and São Paulo will still be trying to hold off the cold, the heat will already be starting to heat things up again.

On Thursday, the situation becomes even more serious with the formation and advance of a new cold front in the South Region. However, this cold front does the opposite and pushes the heat even higher, literally. Santa Catarina, Paraná and São Paulo are expected to face temperatures that exceed 35°C in several areas. And, if you live in the north of Paraná or the west of São Paulo, prepare to see the thermometers rising to 40°C.

Midwest

All this heat will not go unnoticed in the capitals of these regions. Forecasts indicate maximum temperatures of 32°C in Curitiba, 34°C in São Paulo and 33°C in Rio de Janeiro. In the Central-West, where the heat is already part of everyday life, the capitals will not escape either: Cuiabá is expected to face 43°C, and Campo Grande, 39°C.

Cold front

Finally, on Friday, the advance of the long-awaited cold front will bring some relief to the east of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. But before you go out celebrating, remember that the interior regions of the Southeast will continue to suffer under the intense heat, with temperatures still high. Expectations are sky-high, both literally and figuratively, with everyone, including the authorities, on alert for the effects of this heat wave that promises to be one of the most intense in recent years. And if you think this is just an unseasonable summer, think again – it could be global warming saying “hello” in a very warm way.

Summary for those in a hurry:

• Brazil’s heatwave peaks this week, with extreme temperatures expected.
• The South and Southeast face temperatures of up to 40°C, with the Center-West and North reaching 43°C.
• Southerly winds bring temporary relief early in the week to parts of the South and Southeast.
• On Thursday, a new cold front intensifies the heat in the center-south of the country.
• Capitals such as São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro face highs above 30°C.
• On Friday, the advance of the cold front will bring relief to some regions, but the heat will persist in the interior.