The National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) has issued storm warnings for several regions of Rio Grande do Sul for Wednesday, with alerts classified as “great danger” and “danger.” The forecasts warn of heavy rain, strong winds and hail, with possible flooding, power outages and damage to buildings and crops.
The “great danger” alert, in effect throughout Wednesday, forecasts rainfall exceeding 60 millimeters per hour or 100 millimeters in a day, winds above 100 km/h and hail. Inmet warns of a high risk of damage to buildings and crops, fallen trees, flooding, power cuts and disruption to road transport. The alert covers the Serrana, Northwest, Porto Alegre Metropolitan, Northeast, East-Central, West-Central and Southwest regions.
A separate “danger” alert forecasts 30 to 60 millimeters of rain per hour, or 50 to 100 millimeters per day, winds of 60 to 100 km/h and hail. Inmet says these conditions could cause power outages, crop damage, fallen trees and flooding. The warning applies to the Serrana, Southwest, Northwest, West-Central, Porto Alegre Metropolitan, Southeast, Northeast and East-Central regions.
The state Civil Defense monitoring center also warned of storms between early morning and Wednesday morning, including potentially large hail and wind gusts that could exceed 90 km/h. The risk extends across parts of the west, Missões, central and northern areas, the valleys, the Porto Alegre metropolitan region, the Serra, the northeast and the northern coast.
Civil Defense forecasts 40 to 150 millimeters of rain in a day in some areas, with more than 100 millimeters possible in 12 hours, particularly in Missões, the northwest and the north. Rainfall totals in those areas could exceed 200 millimeters by the end of the unsettled period.
Weather company Climatempo expects storms to intensify during Wednesday, with the most concerning conditions in the west, central areas and parts of the north. It forecasts heavy rain, hail, lightning and gusts above 90 km/h. Rainfall totals are expected to range from 30 to 80 millimeters, with isolated amounts reaching 120 millimeters, bringing a risk of flooding, flash floods and wind damage.
Inmet advises people to avoid sheltering under trees during strong winds, keep vehicles away from transmission towers and advertising signs, and, if possible, switch off electrical appliances and the main power breaker. For emergencies, residents can contact Civil Defense at 199 or the fire department at 193.
Sources: G1.