Brazil Weather Alert: Heavy Rain Hits Multiple States

The year 2026 commenced with widespread rainfall across Brazil, prompting weather alerts from Civil Defense authorities. Forecasts indicate instability in various regions, with specific warnings for storms and potential hazards like flooding and strong winds. Precipitation levels are notably high in several state capitals, with Florianópolis and Curitiba leading the list at approximately 40 mm.

Other major cities are also recording significant rainfall, including Goiânia, Brasília, and Palmas with around 30 mm, and Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro with approximately 25 mm. The Civil Defense of São Paulo has issued a comprehensive alert for the entire state. The most critical areas, marked in red, include the Vale do Ribeira, Campinas, the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, and Baixada Santista. Meanwhile, São Paulo city faces humid conditions with temperatures reaching 31°C and rain concentrated in the afternoon. In contrast, Porto Alegre enjoys sunny weather, highlighting the varied climate conditions across the country.

Weather forecasts for the first day of 2026 reveal a pattern of instability affecting multiple regions of Brazil. The Civil Defense has highlighted specific areas at risk, particularly regarding the potential for storms and associated hazards such as localized flooding and strong wind gusts. The precipitation forecast for state capitals indicates that Florianópolis and Curitiba will experience the highest volumes, with expectations of approximately 40 mm of rain. These areas are also subject to the possibility of intense downpours.

Following these two cities, the forecast lists other capitals expected to register significant precipitation levels:

• Goiânia, Brasília, and Palmas: approximately 30 mm
• Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro: around 25 mm

This widespread precipitation suggests that the summer season has begun with typical volatility, characterized by rapid changes in weather conditions.

The Civil Defense of São Paulo has issued a statewide alert due to the heavy rain affecting the region. The warning emphasizes the possibility of intense winds, elevated accumulation of rainwater, and subsequent flooding. The alert covers the entire territory of São Paulo, indicating a risk of storms in various areas, though specific regions have been identified as facing higher danger.

Authorities have marked the following regions in red, indicating the highest level of risk:

• Vale do Ribeira
• Campinas
• Metropolitan Region of São Paulo
• Baixada Santista

Despite the severity of the alert, the weather in the capital city of São Paulo is expected to be humid, with a maximum temperature reaching 31°C. Forecasts predict up to 30 mm of rain, with precipitation expected to concentrate primarily during the afternoon hours.

While significant portions of the country face instability and heavy rainfall, the first day of the year also features areas of clear weather. Porto Alegre stands out as one of the cities where the sun is visible, offering a stark contrast to the intense rainfall affecting other parts of Brazil. This variation underscores the diverse weather patterns present across the national territory.

The overall forecast for the beginning of 2026 suggests a continuation of typical summer weather patterns. This includes high temperatures, rapid variations in weather, and the potential for rain showers to gain strength, particularly in the regions currently under alert by the Civil Defense.