Two cold fronts and an extratropical cyclone are moving across Brazil, bringing rain and a sharp drop in temperatures [1].
This weather pattern disrupts daily activity across several states and poses risks to agriculture through frost in the South and sudden cooling in the Southeast.
The weather systems are affecting Southern Brazil, specifically Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, as well as the Southeast, including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and the southern region of Bahia [1, 3]. The arrival of these polar air masses is linked to an extratropical cyclone that is driving the temperature shifts [3].
Impacts have already been felt across the country. More than 40 cities recorded temperatures below zero on Tuesday [5]. These conditions are expected to persist as two cold fronts affect the region over a six-day period [4].
Meteorological reports indicate varying timelines for the arrival of the coldest air. Some data suggests the front began impacting areas like São Paulo on Saturday, June 9, 2024 [2]. Other reports indicate the polar air mass was expected to enter between Saturday, June 20, 2024, and Sunday [1].
Residents in the affected urban centers can expect wind and rain accompanying the temperature decline [2]. In the southernmost states, the primary concern remains the occurrence of frost, while the Southeast will experience a more general cooling trend [1, 3].
“More than 40 cities recorded temperatures below zero on Tuesday”
The convergence of two separate cold fronts and an extratropical cyclone indicates a period of high atmospheric instability. For Brazil, this means a heightened risk of agricultural loss in the South due to frost and potential infrastructure strain in the Southeast as urban centers adjust to rapid temperature drops and heavy rainfall.
