Paraná Weather: Storms and Heat Forecast for 2026

The first hours of 2026 were marked by rain in various cities across the state. The Simepar indicates that the weather will remain unstable on Thursday, January 1, with the possibility of localized storms. This weather pattern is the result of specific atmospheric dynamics.

Meteorologist Júlia Munhoz explains that the scenario results from the combination of atmospheric moisture, daytime heating, and the passage of a meteorological trough. These are wind currents in the sky that assist in the formation of storm clouds. The expert highlights the potential impact of these weather events.

According to Munhoz, these storms are capable of causing high volumes of rain in short time intervals, in addition to high incidences of lightning and the possibility of strong wind gusts. The tendency is for a gradual weakening of this instability until the end of the day. However, the rain is not expected to eliminate the heat. Simepar notes that January is traditionally a rainy and hot month in the state.

Temperatures remain elevated in all regions of the state throughout Thursday, January 1. The greatest heating is forecast for the northern and coastal strips, where maximums are expected to approach 35°C.

On Friday, January 2, the advance of a drier air mass from the southern areas of Paraná will occur. Despite this, meteorological conditions will remain conducive to the formation of isolated showers, including the possibility of localized downpours, especially in the northern half and the east of the state. During the afternoon, strong heating should predominate, with maximum temperatures exceeding 30°C in all regions.

Between Saturday, January 3, and Monday, January 5, a dry air mass will establish itself over much of Paraná. This will reduce the conditions favorable for the occurrence of rain showers compared to previous days. Nevertheless, episodes of short-duration precipitation are not ruled out. On Saturday, higher chances of rain are still forecast for eastern Paraná.

According to Simepar, the first month of 2026 will have rainfall volumes and temperatures within the historical average. The state can expect the classic summer storms during periods of greater heating. Reinaldo Kneib, a meteorologist at Simepar, explains the atmospheric conditions.

"In January, there is a predominance of intense masses of hot and humid air. Because the atmosphere has a large amount of moisture, storms form frequently," Kneib stated. "Significant, voluminous rains occur between the afternoon and evening. Summer storms do not last long, but because they have a great capacity to generate rain, they often lead to flooding and sometimes even flash floods."

This process is intensified in mountainous regions. Consequently, rapid rains with volumes of up to 50 mm are common on the Coast. These occurred in December 2025 and are expected to happen again in January 2026. In the interior of the state, similar conditions arise when heating is intense. The atmosphere transforms this energy into cumulonimbus storm clouds, leading to more severe events.

Along with the rain, there is always the condition for some hail, strong wind gusts, and lightning. According to Kneib, no period of drought is expected in January 2026. Temperatures will follow high average values, and due to the high humidity, the heat index calculation frequently results in values above those recorded on thermometers, causing uncomfortable muggy conditions.