INMET Issues Broad Weather Alerts as Developing Cyclone Poised to Intensify Storms

Overview

• INMET, whose holiday alerts took effect Saturday, kept yellow and orange warnings in place through Monday with rain of 20–30 mm per hour or up to 50–100 mm per day and wind gusts that can reach 60–100 km/h.
• Climatempo reports an extratropical cyclone forming Monday with a cold front that will drive stronger storms across the South, Southeast and Center-West, with gusts up to about 90 km/h and gradual improvement only by Friday.
• Entire-state coverage includes all 184 municipalities of Ceará, all 223 in Paraíba and all of Alagoas, while Maranhão has staggered yellow alerts running through Tuesday and other notices reach parts of São Paulo, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul.
• Local impacts are already visible in Rio de Janeiro, where a storm ripped the roof from a home and the city logged at least 31 fallen trees, and Belo Horizonte issued a separate alert for bursts of rain and 50 km/h wind.
• Authorities urge people to avoid sheltering under trees, steer clear of flooded streets, unplug electronics and call Defesa Civil at 199 or the Fire Department at 193, as rough surf and power cuts are possible even where the cyclone center stays offshore.