Record-low temperatures hit southern Brazil
Image credit: WION (stillshot)
Temperatures in Brazil began dropping early last week with the approach of Subtropical Storm “Yakecan”1 – eventually reaching unprecedented lows in the country’s south. At least one person has died of hypothermia in Sao Paulo.
The Federal District recorded 1.4 °C (34 °F) on May 19 – its coldest temperature in history while Sao Paulo set a new record with 6.6 °C (43.8 °F) on May 18, temperatures unheard of since 1990.2, 3
Belo Horizonte, the capital city of Minas Gerais, recorded 4.4 °C (38.9 °F) – its lowest temperature since 1979.
Santa Catarina registered -2 °C (28.4 °F) and the first snowfall in 15 years.
While cold fronts are normal in the south this time of year, it is rare for such low temperatures to reach as far north as they have now.3
References:
1 Unusually powerful Subtropical Storm “Yakecan” hits Urugay and Brazil – The Watchers – MAy
2 Onda de Frio derruba as temperaturas em grande parte do Brasil – INEMET – May 19, 2022
3 Cold wave hits southern Brazil with record-low temperatures – France24 – May 20, 2022
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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