Extratropical Cyclone Brings Hail, Heavy Rain to Southern Brazil; Second Storm Looms
A powerful extratropical cyclone is currently impacting the weather across the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, bringing heavy rainfall, hail, and strong winds. Residents are bracing for continued disruptions as a second, potentially more intense, cyclone is forecast to develop early next week.
Images shared with NSC Total on Saturday, November 30th, depict scenes of hailstones falling in Luiz Alves, within the Itajaí Valley. The Civil Defense of Santa Catarina had anticipated the severe weather, attributing it to the actions of the cyclone over the high seas.
The immediate impact of the cyclone on Saturday concentrated rainfall in the Itajaí Valley, Greater Florianópolis, and the North Coast. Sunday, December 1st, saw the continuation of showers and isolated thunderstorms fueled by heat and humidity across coastal areas and the Itajaí Valley. However, the effects are not limited to Santa Catarina. Forecasts indicate the cyclone will also bring significant rainfall to southeastern Brazil, with potential accumulations exceeding 100 millimeters in the Serra da Mantiqueira region and over 60 millimeters along the São Paulo coastline. Neighboring municipalities in Minas Gerais, particularly in the Triângulo Mineiro, are also under threat of hail.
On Saturday evening, at 5:13 PM local time, the Civil Defense issued an alert for storms with lightning, strong gusts of wind, hail, and potential flooding for the Midwest, Planalto Norte, and Alto Vale do Itajaí regions, remaining in effect for the following two hours. Resident Carol Signorelli captured the hailstorm in the Braço Serafim and Braço Francês neighborhoods of Luiz Alves, sharing the dramatic images with NSC Total.
Looking ahead, the Civil Defense of Santa Catarina issued a warning on Friday, November 29th, regarding the formation of a new extratropical cyclone between Monday, December 2nd, and Wednesday, December 4th. This upcoming system is expected to form near the Southeast region and exacerbate rainfall along the Santa Catarina coast.
According to the Civil Defense, storms are expected to intensify from the early hours of Tuesday, December 3rd, particularly between the North Coast and Greater Florianópolis. The agency warns of a heightened risk of flooding, flash floods, and landslides due to the anticipated high rainfall accumulations. “Unlike the weekend, when instability is temporary, the rain should occur persistently and voluminously,” cautioned a meteorologist from the Civil Defense.
Civil Defense Recommendations:
- Avoid travel and seek shelter away from trees, signs, walls, and power poles during strong winds.
- During storms, find a sheltered location, away from windows and loose objects.
- Never attempt to cross flooded streets or submerged bridges during periods of intense rainfall.
The approaching cyclone is predicted to be more intense than the current system. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and heed all warnings issued by the Civil Defense.
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