Cold front brings frost warnings across Southern Brazil

A strong polar air mass moved into Brazil's centre‑south region from 7 July, driving temperatures toward or below zero in Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná. The cold front triggered frost alerts for most of Rio Grande do Sul (except the coastal strip) and spread to the highlands of Santa Catarina, where minima of –3 °C were recorded, and to the Serra Gaúcha. In the coastal north of Rio Grande do Sul, wind chills fell to –5.6 °C despite air temperatures around 6‑10 °C.

The Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (Inmet) issued danger‑level frost warnings for agricultural areas, urging farmers to protect vulnerable crops, pastures and seedlings. Low humidity (20‑30 %) accompanied the cold in the Centre‑West and interior Nordeste, heightening fire risk. The Defence Civil of Florianópolis warned of possible hypothermia and advised extra care for the elderly, children and pets.

The prolonged chill is expected to ease after Thursday, with temperatures gradually rising on Friday and a return of rain to the southern states over the weekend.