Southern Brazil receives alert for cyclone formation

The National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) issued a reinforcement for the forecast of formation and movement of an extratropical cyclone this Wednesday (23), mainly between Argentina, Uruguay and Rio Grande do Sul. The severe weather is due to a set of meteorological systems that will interact and act in Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná in the next 72 hours. Among them, areas of instability associated with the extratropical cyclone and the cold front that is expected to form.

Today (23), there will be predominant sunshine and high temperatures in most of the South of the country. As a result, the warming and high humidity of the air form areas of instability, which favors the occurrence of thunderstorms and gusts of wind in a very localized and temporary manner in the three Southern States.

Between tonight and Thursday morning (24), the cyclone and a front associated with this system will begin to cause storms in the southern half of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. As the cyclone advances towards the high seas, the cold front gains strength over the state of Rio Grande do Sul, intensifying the storms.

Santa Catarina and Paraná are expected to be hit by storms between Thursday afternoon and evening. Some regions of these states will experience storms and strong gusts of wind from Lagoa dos Patos through the capital Porto Alegre and the metropolitan region, part of Serra Gaúcha, northwest of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, western Santa Catarina and western Paraná. In general, winds may vary from 50 to 70 km/h, with more intense gusts around 100 km/h (Figure 1).

There is a risk of flooding, especially in urban areas, and the highest volumes of rain are expected for Rio Grande do Sul, especially in the Campanha region between Santana do Livramento and Chuí, with volumes between 50 and 100 mm.