Extremely heavy rains hit Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo, causing destructive floods and landslides, Brazil

Extremely heavy rains hit Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo, causing destructive floods and landslides, Brazil

Heavy rains in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state on March 22, 2024, resulted in at least nine fatalities, with Petropolis being the hardest hit. A staggering 270 mm (11 inches) of rain fell within 24 hours, significantly impacting the region and leading to numerous incidents, including landslides and house collapses. The storm then moved to the neighboring state of Espírito Santo, dropping more than 200 mm (7.8 inches) of rainfall within 24 hours.

Rio De Janeiro hits record 62.3 °C (144.14 °F) thermal sensation, Brazil

Rio De Janeiro hits record 62.3 °C (144.14 °F) thermal sensation, Brazil

Guaratiba, a neighborhood on Rio De Janeiro’s west side, recorded a thermal sensation of 62.3 °C (144.14 °F) at 09:55 LT on Sunday, March 17, 2024, marking the highest value since the Rio Alert System’s inception in 2014. The intense heat, exacerbated by high humidity, has led to increased beach and pool attendance amidst reports of water shortages.

Tropical Storm “Akará” forms off Rio de Janeiro as first TS in South Atlantic since 2019

Tropical Storm “Akará” forms off Rio de Janeiro as first TS in South Atlantic since 2019

On February 16, 2024, the Brazilian Navy identified a subtropical depression ESE of Rio de Janeiro, which intensified into Tropical Storm “Akará” by February 19. Akará is the first named tropical storm to develop in the South Atlantic Ocean since Iba in 2019 and the basin’s first named storm in February since Bapo in 2015. The system is expected to continue intensifying, but remain well away from Brazil.

Deep M6.5 earthquake hits Acre, Brazil

Deep M6.5 earthquake hits Acre, Brazil

A strong and deep earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.5 hit Acre, Brazil at 09:38 UTC on January 28, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 609 km (378 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.

Deep M6.5 earthquake hits Amazonas, Brazil

Deep M6.5 earthquake hits Amazonas, Brazil

A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.5 hit Amazonas, Brazil at 21:31 UTC on January 20, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 629 km (390 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.7 at a depth of 615 km (382 miles).

Severe floods and landslides hit Rio de Janeiro, claiming 11 lives, Brazil

Severe floods and landslides hit Rio de Janeiro, claiming 11 lives, Brazil

At least 11 people have died in Rio de Janeiro after a month’s worth of rain hit parts of the city, turning roads into raging rivers, the fire department confirmed on Sunday, January 15, 2024. The northern parts of the city were particularly affected, with incidents of landslides, drownings, and electrocutions reported.

Guaíba River overflows in Porto Alegre’s center in third-highest flood since 1941, Brazil

Guaíba River overflows in Porto Alegre’s center in third-highest flood since 1941, Brazil

The Guaíba River in Porto Alegre, Brazil, reached a historic water level of 3.01 meters on the morning of November 20, 2023. This marked the third-highest flood level since 1941, following heavy rainfall across its contributing basins. The rising waters led to the river overflowing its banks at the Central Wharf, a rare occurrence in the city’s recent history.

Severe storms bring giant hail and intense lightning to Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and Uruguay

Severe storms bring giant hail and intense lightning to Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and Uruguay

Late Tuesday, October 3, 2023, parts of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil and Uruguay were struck by severe weather conditions that included giant hail and intense lightning. The hail ranged from “very large” to “giant”. Damage to homes, buildings, and infrastructure has been reported, although official estimates are not yet available. Further adverse weather conditions are forecasted for Wednesday.

Exceptionally heavy rains hit Rio Grande do Sul, causing deadly floods, Brazil

Exceptionally heavy rains hit Rio Grande do Sul, causing deadly floods, Brazil

At least four people died Monday, September 4, 2023, after an extratropical cyclone dumped extremely heavy rains that triggered severe floods and landslides in the southernmost Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. Parts of the northern half of the state received 2 and even 3 months’ worth of September rains in just 72 hours.