Brazil Braces for Intense Cold Wave: Snow, Strong Winds, and Power Outages

Intense Cold Wave Sweeps Across Brazil, Bringing Snow and Strong Winds A powerful cold wave is impacting 12 Brazilian states, bringing with it the unusual sight of snow in the southern mountains and causing widespread disruption. The National Weather Service forecasts that temperatures will plummet in the coming hours, with the most significant impact expected in the south. The Serra Catarinense and Serra Gaúcha mountain ranges are expected to see snowfall overnight into Thursday morning. In western Rio Grande do Sul and parts of Mato Grosso do Sul, frost is a significant concern. "The intensity of this cold wave is remarkable," said meteorologist Ana Paula, "with wind gusts reaching up to 70 kilometers per hour in some areas." The strong winds have already caused damage, with dozens of trees falling in São Paulo, one even landing on a car. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. However, nearly 80,000 people in São Paulo remain without power. The cold wave is expected to persist, with strong winds continuing, especially in the east of the southern region. Minimum temperatures are forecast to be as low as 5 degrees Celsius in Curitiba, 12 degrees in Florianópolis, and 8 degrees in Porto Alegre. Authorities are urging residents to take precautions to stay safe during the extreme weather conditions.