Southeast predicts rain and wind for first weekend of year

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In São Paulo, the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) today issued a danger warning from midnight. Forecasts in the state indicate the onset of severe storms, with rainfall of up to 100 millimeters per day, an intensity considered very strong and capable of causing significant flooding and disruption, especially if it falls over a short period of time. The institution also warns of wind gusts of between 60 and 100 kilometers per hour, in addition to the risk of hail.

The new weather alert puts the capital and the Metropolitan Region on alert, a scenario reminiscent of the fear of recent episodes. Last month, winds of similar magnitude caused thousands of trees to fall and left millions of people without power for days, highlighting the vulnerability of infrastructure to extreme weather events.

The emergence of a cold front on the coast of São Paulo explains the appearance of heavy and persistent rains, in addition to the drop in temperatures.

— Temperatures in the capital are below average the first weekend of 2026, with maximums of 26 and 24 degrees tomorrow and Sunday — says meteorologist César Soares, from Climatempo.

In Rio, the first days of the year promise to be sultry, with temperatures between 23°C and 36°C. However, some relief from the heat is expected over the weekend, with the approach of a cold front and the appearance of heavy rain.

The weather is also expected to remain unstable in Espirito Santo. The scenario is the result of the combination of the heatwave that occurred during Christmas week and the humidity, which favors the appearance of rain in the South and Mountain regions, as well as part of the North-West.

Inmet has issued an orange alert — intermediate on the risk scale — for intense rains for today in more than 50 cities in the state, including the capital Vitória.

Minas Gerais is also suffering the consequences of last week’s atmospheric blockage. Rain is forecast in the coming days, especially in the capital Belo Horizonte. Temperatures in the city are expected to range between 19°C and 32° until Sunday.

Inmet forecasts a first month of the year marked by above-average rains in most regions of the North and South. On the other hand, the areas of the North-East, South-East and the eastern part of the Center-West should record storms lower than what is usual for this time of year.

Forecasts for the north of the country indicate rain volumes up to 50 millimeters above the historical average. Much of Amazonas, Acre, Amapá, Rondônia and southern and north-central parts of Pará are expected to be affected. In other areas of the region, the forecast points to values ​​close to or below the climatological average, notably in south-central Tocantins and southern Roraima.

In the South, forecasts indicate accumulations up to 50 millimeters above the historical average for January in all states. The exceptions are central-west Santa Catarina and southern Rio Grande do Sul, where volumes close to and below the climatological average for the month are expected, respectively.

The Southeast is expected to experience above-average precipitation volumes across virtually all of São Paulo State and southern Minas Gerais. On the other hand, below-average precipitation is expected in southern Espírito Santo, north-central Rio de Janeiro and much of the territory of Minas Gerais.

In the northeast, below-average rain is expected in virtually all of Bahia, south-central Piauí, central Maranhão, and western Pernambuco. Above-normal storms are expected in isolated areas of Paraíba, Alagoas, Ceará, Piauí and Maranhão.