Rio Grande do Sul and neighboring states hit by record cold snap

A polar air mass swept southern Brazil on June 16‑18, bringing frost and sub‑zero temperatures across Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná, Santa Catarina and São Paulo. Rio Grande do Sul recorded minima as low as –5 °C in the Serra do Sudeste, with Porto Alegre’s minimum at 4.1 °C, the coldest since the start of the year. In Paraná, General Carneiro fell to –2.4 °C, nearly matching the state’s winter low, while an airport in São José dos Pinhais suspended departures due to ice. Santa Catarina’s Bom Jardim da Serra hit –6.7 °C, a state record low, and frost covered fields in the highlands. Campos do Jordão in São Paulo recorded 3.1 °C under early‑morning frost.

The cold spell prompted social‑service responses: Porto Alegre’s municipal shelters took in 415 people experiencing homelessness during the night, part of the city’s “Operação Inverno” program. Meteorological agencies forecast continued cold with another frontal system expected to arrive later in the week, bringing further temperature drops and possible thunderstorms across the region.

Overall, the event affected millions of residents with unusually low temperatures, disrupted air travel, and triggered emergency shelter operations, while forecasters warned that the cold front will persist into the weekend.