Record cold in São Paulo worries agricultural sector

The city of São Paulo is expected to face, this Wednesday (25), the coldest morning in the last nine years, with a forecast minimum of 4°C. This is what Climatempo, a meteorological consultancy and weather forecasting company for Brazil and Latin America, indicates.

This will be the lowest temperature recorded since June 2016, when the capital of São Paulo recorded 3,5°C on the 13th of the same month that year. The cold record will be one of the most significant in the last decade, approaching historical marks such as the 1,2°C of June 1994, the absolute lowest in the capital's official records.

The drop in temperatures comes after the passage of a strong cold front, associated with an extratropical cyclone in the ocean, which has already caused rain and strong winds in several regions of the state. With the clouds moving away and atmospheric stabilization, the early hours of Wednesday (25) will have clear skies and conditions that will allow the temperature to drop quickly. The forecast indicates a minimum of 4°C in the northern part of the capital, but neighborhoods further south of the capital, such as Marsilac and Capela do Socorro, may record temperatures close to 0°C.

In addition to São Paulo, other cities in the interior of the state, such as Campinas, São Carlos, Presidente Prudente, Rancharia, Itapira and Serra Negra, should also record temperatures close to or below 4°C, with a high risk of frost in the highest areas.

Sectoral impacts

The sudden drop in temperature in the capital of São Paulo will have an impact on several sectors. There is an expectation of an increase in electricity consumption, putting utilities on alert. The risk of frost in producing regions in the interior of the state could affect the production of vegetables and fruits, with a potential impact on the prices of fresh food in the local market. 

Furthermore, the possibility of fog forming in the early hours of the morning may affect road and air transport operations, with the risk of delays, especially in regions closer to rural and mountainous areas. Episodes of frost are also expected to influence prices for coffee, sugar cane, tomatoes and vegetables in the upcoming trading sessions. 

Comparison of historical minimum temperatures in June in the city of São Paulo:

• June 26, 1994: 1,2°C
• June 27, 1994: 2,0°C
• June 13, 2016: 3,5°C
• June 10, 2016: 5,5°C
• June 30, 2021: 6,3°C