Southern Brazil is bracing for severe thunderstorms bringing teh risk of heavy rain, strong winds, and hail through Tuesday, December 3rd. The National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) has issued alerts – including orange level warnings for areas of Santa Catarina – as a cold front moves through the region, potentially causing power outages, flooding, and damage to infrastructure. Residents are urged to monitor conditions and heed advisories from local civil defense authorities.
Severe thunderstorms are threatening parts of southern Brazil, with warnings in effect until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 3rd. The storms are bringing the potential for heavy rainfall, strong winds, and hail, prompting alerts from the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet).
Continua depois da publicidade
A yellow alert is currently in effect for the Itajaí Valley, Greater Florianópolis, and the northern and southern regions of Santa Catarina state. Residents in these areas should be prepared for rainfall up to 50 millimeters, wind gusts between 40 and 60 kilometers per hour, and the possibility of hail.
Western Santa Catarina is under an orange alert, indicating a higher level of danger. Here, rainfall could reach 100 millimeters, with winds between 60 and 100 kilometers per hour. The risk of hail is elevated, along with potential power outages, damage to crops, fallen trees, and flooding. The North region and Itajaí Valley are also included in the orange alert.
Beyond Santa Catarina, the states of São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná, and Mato Grosso do Sul are also facing similar storm warnings (veja na foto abaixo).
Continua depois da publicidade
Inmet uses a color-coded alert system – yellow, orange, and red – to indicate the severity of weather events, including rainfall, wind, and temperature drops.
Civil Defense Issues Storm, Wind, and Hail Alert for Santa Catarina
Santa Catarina is under an orange alert, indicating a moderate to high risk of incidents related to thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail, according to an advisory from the state Civil Defense. The warning is in effect for Monday and Tuesday.
The formation of a new cold front, associated with a low-pressure system off the coast of Rio Grande do Sul, is maintaining conditions for isolated thunderstorms across all regions of the state on Monday.
Continua depois da publicidade
The first storms are impacting the Greater West and are expected to spread throughout the rest of Santa Catarina throughout the day, particularly between the Southern Plateau and the Upper Itajaí Valley, the Civil Defense reports. The potential for localized strong winds and hail is a concern.
While thunderstorms are expected in all regions, the Southern Plateau and Upper Itajaí Valley “are again likely to be affected by hail and localized gusts in the afternoon and evening of Monday,” the weather advisory states.
On Tuesday, instability will persist as a low-pressure area moves out to sea, bringing conditions for thunderstorms with hail and strong winds, especially between Greater Florianópolis, the Northern Coast, and parts of the Itajaí Valley. Localized thunderstorms are also possible in other regions between the early morning and afternoon, and may be intense.
Heavy Rain Causes Damage in Lages
Amidst the weather alerts, heavy rainfall caused significant damage in Lages, in the Serra Catarinense region, on Sunday, December 1st. Around 6:15 p.m., the Military Fire Department responded to Avenida Belizário Ramos after strong winds brought down three trees, completely blocking traffic.
Continua depois da publicidade
Firefighters cut and removed the trees from three locations along the avenue, then cleared debris to reopen the road. Another tree fall obstructing traffic was addressed on the streets of Ceará and Amapá, in the São Cristóvão neighborhood.
The department also responded to reports of damage to a residence, as well as roof damage and flooding in various parts of the city. Firefighters provided tarps to three residents in the São Cristóvão and Centro neighborhoods to cover damaged roofs.
Lages Mayor Carmen Zanotto (Cidadania) stated that the storm damaged several public buildings, including the Health Department and Central Pharmacy buildings.
Continua depois da publicidade
“We also had strong winds at the Conventinho Church, where unfortunately a woman was injured and received care from the Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres Hospital team,” Zanotto reported.
Improved Weather Expected in Santa Catarina Starting Wednesday
Conditions for thunderstorms are expected to diminish on Wednesday, December 4th, with clearer weather prevailing in the Greater West. The coast and nearby areas will remain unstable, with variable cloud cover and a chance of light, isolated showers. No weather-related incidents are anticipated.
Temperatures will gradually rise throughout the day on Wednesday, with highs ranging between 26°C and 29°C across much of the state. Temperatures in the Serra region will peak around 23°C, while coastal areas will be near 25°C.
Continua depois da publicidade
Thursday, December 5th, and Friday, December 6th, are forecast to see continued clear weather in the Greater West.
The coast and nearby areas will remain unstable due to maritime circulation, with variable cloud cover and a chance of light, isolated showers. No weather-related incidents are expected during these days.
*Under the supervision of Jean Laurindo
