Brazil is under severe heatwave warnings as the Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (INMET) has issued urgent alerts affecting vast regions of the country, particularly focusing on the southern states. Since February 5, 2025, the warning has highlighted temperatures soaring up to 5°C above the average, persisting for over five consecutive days. Experts have raised alarm bells about the extreme heat, which poses significant health risks to vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses.
The heatwave has already hit the state of Rio Grande do Sul hard, with temperature records being shattered. On February 4, the municipality of Quaraí reached 43.8°C, marking it as the highest temperature recorded since the early 20th century, and currently recognized as the highest temperature measured across Brazil this year. Local authorities are directing communities to remain vigilant and familiarize themselves with health risks associated with such high temperatures.
INMET has raised the alert to red, indicating 'great danger' for the population. They advise residents to monitor updates closely as favoring temperatures above 40°C are anticipated throughout the week. The last record before this event showed temperatures of 37.9°C already registered on February 10, which underscored the emergence of this scorching heat period. Complete measures to mitigate risks have been advised.
Over 560 cities located across the southern regions of Brazil, including significant portions of Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná, and Santa Catarina, are now marked under this dangerous heat alert. INMET emphasizes the increased health risks posed when high temperatures persist beyond five days, including elevated possibilities of dehydration and heat-related illnesses.
Meanwhile, the heightened temperatures and extreme weather have also instigated judicial responses, delaying the school year start for over 2,320 educational institutions within Rio Grande do Sul as community leaders seek to protect students from the effects of the heat. This measure, which reflects a growing trend of prioritizing public health, shows the wide-ranging impacts of climate change and extreme weather.
Weather forecasts indicate conditions may worsen, with additional alerts of heat persisting through mid-February, not solely confined to Rio Grande do Sul. Neighboring states like Santa Catarina and regions as far-reaching as the state of Rio de Janeiro are bracing for similar heatwave warnings, which may extend their grip on schools, local businesses, and day-to-day life.
Health experts stress the importance of taking precautions during extreme temperatures. "It is fundamental for people to stay hydrated and seek shaded areas during the hottest hours of the day," adds INMET. These advisories are especially poignant as communities also face warnings about possible subsequent thunderstorms and intense weather instability following the heat.
Looking forward, meteorological forecasts by Climatempo suggest heat indices could climb to dangerously high levels, possibly exceeding 50°C due to humidity and temperature combinations. These extreme temperatures could put additional pressure on local infrastructure and public health initiatives as communities adapt to these ever-increasing challenges posed by climate change.
Finally, the underlying message behind such extreme weather events points to the urgent need for collective awareness and readiness for climate-related disruptions. Climate change has been implicated as the underlying factor contributing to the gradual resilience declines within communities, naturally yielding more frequent and intense weather extremes like heatwaves.
Addressing climate change impacts through more informed emergency protocols, stronger community resilience strategies, and enhanced public health advisories will be pivotal as Brazil endures through its 2025 heatwave warnings. Without proper mitigation efforts, such climatic episodes could pose even greater threats to the health and safety of the Brazilian populace.