Brazil sees widespread rain, record cold and El Niño‑driven impacts
The National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) warned that from 26‑27 June 2026 instabilities will bring rain to much of Brazil, with the strongest accumulations on the northeast coast, Amapá and parts of the Central‑West and Southeast. Temperatures in the South remain low, driven by a polar air mass; São Paulo recorded a record low maximum for June of 13.4 °C and Santa Catarina reached –9.2 °C, the coldest of the season.
State authorities issued alerts: Sergipe, Alagoas, Rio Grande do Norte and João Pessoa (Paraíba) face moderate to intense rain warnings, some with wind gusts up to 60 km/h. The Defence Civil agencies urge residents to avoid flood‑prone areas and stay informed.
A joint technical note confirmed that the El Niño event, now classified as strong to very strong, will likely persist through the second half of 2026. Projections show reduced rainfall and higher temperatures in the North and Northeast, increased fire risk in the Amazon, and heightened flood potential in the South and Southeast. Insurers are preparing for a surge in claims, especially for residential flood damage in the South and drought‑related losses in the North‑Central regions.
Overall, the combined cold wave, heavy rain and El Niño influences are expected to affect daily life, agriculture, energy generation and insurance markets across Brazil.