A powerful cold front is battering the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul this Friday, unleashing destructive winds and triggering a rapid shift in weather conditions. The system is delivering intense rainfall and wind gusts reaching between 70 and 90 kilometers per hour, particularly impacting the state's southwestern, central, and metropolitan regions throughout the day.
The National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) has issued danger warnings for severe storms across multiple areas, including the Serra, Northwest, and Northeast regions, valid until the morning. The strongest winds are expected during the early morning and morning hours, creating hazardous conditions for residents and infrastructure.
The front's passage is causing a dramatic temperature drop as cold air advances from the west and south. While the western and Campanha regions may see gradual improvement by afternoon, northern and northeastern areas will experience persistent cloudiness and isolated showers. In the capital, Porto Alegre, overcast skies, intermittent rain, and steady winds will define the day, with temperatures falling sharply to reinforce the chilly sensation.
The impact has been severe, with at least 24 cities reporting damage from the preceding day's storms. In Santana do Livramento, near the Uruguai border, the local government declared a state of emergency after winds damaged approximately 100 homes, toppled trees, and caused power outages. The neighboring city of Rivera in Uruguay also suffered similar damage, including the collapse of a wind turbine at the Cerro Chato wind farm.
Other municipalities are reeling from the effects. In Alegrete, gusts of 80 km/h felled trees and unroofed homes, displacing 112 people. Santa Maria saw roof damage to 13 houses and a municipal school, where a classroom's roof was torn off, forcing the suspension of classes. An elderly person there sustained minor injuries after being struck by a falling tree branch.
The disruption to education has been widespread. In Hulha Negra, 720 municipal students and 180 state students were kept out of school on Friday as a preventive measure, affecting eight schools in total. In Boa Vista do Incra, classes were suspended due to the risk of roof collapse. The Defesa Civil's records highlight a pattern of fallen trees, downed power lines, structural damage, and urban flooding across the affected region.
Looking ahead, the weekend forecast indicates a shift toward stability as a dry, cold air mass takes hold. Saturday will bring gradual improvement with sunshine peeking through clouds, though temperatures will remain low for the season, especially with the lingering wind. Sunday is expected to be firmer statewide, with cold conditions persisting from the early hours and the lowest temperatures in the Campanha, Sul, and Serra regions during the morning.
Based on reporting from g1.