# Climate vulnerability and extreme weather in Brazil

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/climate-vulnerability-and-extreme-weather-in-brazil
> Updated: 2026-08-11T12:09:19.000Z. Sources: 45. Developments: 2.

Brazil continues to face significant challenges regarding climate vulnerability and extreme weather patterns. Discussions on environmental racism have highlighted how race and income levels influence susceptibility to natural disasters, such as flooding, in peripheral urban areas like Guarulhos and São Paulo. To address these inequalities, seminars in Rio de Janeiro have focused on climate justice and protection policies for vulnerable groups, including indigenous peoples and favela residents.

Meteorologists and researchers are increasingly warning of the severe, neglected impact of heatwaves. Professor Renata Libonati of UFRJ reported that between 2000 and 2020, approximately 50,000 deaths were linked to heatwaves across 14 metropolitan regions, a figure she noted is “20 times higher than deaths caused by landslides in the same period.”

The expected influence of the El Niño phenomenon is predicted to intensify these extreme temperatures, potentially leading to exceptionally high temperatures in 2026 and increasing the frequency of droughts and wildfires. Regional instability remains varied, with storms expected in the South and low humidity levels persisting in the Central-West and Southeast regions. Recent reports confirm these trends, noting that Goiás has recorded temperatures reaching 41.4°C amid dry conditions and low humidity, while the South continues to experience storms and instability driven by El Niño.

## Claims

- Between 2000 and 2020, 50,000 deaths were motivated by heatwaves in 14 Brazilian metropolitan regions. (corroborated by 14 sources)
- Heatwaves are a neglected disaster in Brazil. (corroborated by 13 sources)
- Heatwave deaths in Brazil are 20 times higher than deaths from landslides in the same period. (corroborated by 13 sources)
- The El Niño phenomenon may cause 2026 to record exceptionally high temperatures. (corroborated by 13 sources)
- The IPMA issued a yellow alert for heat in several Portuguese districts, including Bragança and Vila Real. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Maximum temperatures in Bragança, Castelo Branco, Évora, and Beja are expected to reach 38 degrees Celsius. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Nine districts in Portugal are under a yellow heat warning, with temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Goiás recorded temperatures as high as 41.4°C during a period of dry weather. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-11: Extreme heat and weather alerts impact Brazil and Portugal

Heatwaves and extreme weather are impacting Brazil and Portugal. Experts warn of neglected heatwave risks in Brazil, while Portugal faces high temperatures up to 38°C under yellow alerts.

43 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/acre-faces-potential-record-heat-of-36c-after-polar-wave

### 2026-08-10: Brazil addresses environmental racism and climate vulnerability

Discussions on environmental racism in Brazil highlight how race and income increase vulnerability to climate disasters, prompting calls for urban planning reform and territorial justice.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-addresses-environmental-racism-and-climate-vulnerability

---
Cite as: Climate vulnerability and extreme weather in Brazil. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/climate-vulnerability-and-extreme-weather-in-brazil