Brazil’s National Meteorological Institute (Inmet) has issued an alert for snow showers in parts of the country’s southernmost states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. Nine municipalities across the two states are forecast to see roughly 5 centimeters of snow this evening, and authorities warn of a mild risk of accidents.
Much of Brazil’s South and Southeast is currently undergoing a cold snap, shortly after May saw unprecedented rainfall in the South and sweltering late-fall temperatures in the Southeast. Temperatures have fallen rapidly, and higher-elevation parts of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul are expected to see frosts and uncommon snow showers.
Rain in Rio Grande do Sul state at the start of this month led to widespread destruction and unprecedented flooding. Parts of the state capital Porto Alegre have been underwater for 25 days now, while residents to the city’s center and south zones are beginning to return to their homes for the first time in almost a month as floods subside.
Experts say that the city will only be able to rid itself of floods once the nearby Guaíba River drops below 2 meters, but it has remained above the 3-meter-mark since May 2. Local authorities have recorded 169 deaths since the beginning of the rains in Rio Grande do Sul, while 53 people are still reported missing. Almost 50,000 people are still housed in temporary flood shelters.
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