Residents across southern Brazil are bracing for continued severe weather as a new extratropical cyclone develops off the coast, following a weekend that saw hailstorms impacting areas of Santa Catarina state. The system brought large hailstones to the vale do Itajaí region on Saturday, prompting alerts from the civil Defence as forecasters predict further heavy rainfall and potential flooding extending into São paulo state. This marks a continuation of unsettled weather patterns for the region, with authorities urging vigilance as the new cyclone is expected to be more intense than the previous one.
Ciclone afeta o tempo em Santa Catarina (Foto: Carol Signorelli, imagens cedidas)
Residents of Luiz Alves, Brazil, experienced a sudden hailstorm Saturday afternoon as a powerful extratropical cyclone churned off the coast. The unusual weather event comes as forecasters warn of widespread impacts across southern Brazil and potentially into parts of the Southeast.
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The storm brought large hailstones down in the Vale do Itajaí region, with residents sharing images of the icy precipitation. The Civil Defense of Santa Catarina had predicted the possibility of hail, linked to the approaching extratropical cyclone.
According to the Civil Defense, the heaviest rainfall Saturday was concentrated in the Vale do Itajaí, Greater Florianópolis, and the North Coast. Sunday will see continued chances of isolated thunderstorms across the coast and throughout the Vale do Itajaí, fueled by warm, humid air.
The cyclone’s influence isn’t limited to Santa Catarina. Forecasters expect rainfall exceeding 100 millimeters in the Serra da Mantiqueira mountains of the Southeast, and more than 60 millimeters along the coast of São Paulo state. There is also a risk of hail in most of São Paulo state and neighboring areas of Minas Gerais, particularly in the Triângulo Mineiro region.
Hail in Luiz Alves
At 5:13 p.m. Saturday, the Civil Defense of Santa Catarina issued an alert for severe thunderstorms with lightning, strong winds, hail, and potential flooding for areas in the Meio-Oeste, Northern Plateau, and Alto Vale do Itajaí regions over the next two hours.
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It was during this time that Luiz Alves resident Carol Signorelli reported hearing hail falling on her roof. She captured images of the phenomenon in the Braço Serafim and Braço Francês neighborhoods and shared them.
Another Cyclone to Increase Rain Chances in SC
The Civil Defense of Santa Catarina announced Friday the formation of a new extratropical cyclone between Monday and Wednesday. The system is expected to develop near the Southeast region and bring more rain to the Santa Catarina coastline.
The Civil Defense warns that thunderstorms are expected to intensify starting early Tuesday, particularly between the North Coast and Greater Florianópolis. Elevated rainfall totals increase the risk of flooding, landslides, and other related hazards.
The approaching cyclone is forecast to be more intense than the extratropical cyclone currently impacting the region.
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— Unlike this weekend, when the instabilities are transient, the rain is expected to occur persistently and heavily — warned meteorologist Nicolle Reis of the Civil Defense.
Civil Defense Recommendations
