Another Heat Wave Impacting Central Brazil

Recent temperatures have soared once again across central Brazil with many areas registering temperatures more than 5°C above average or as high as 40 to 42°C (104 to 108°F). The heat started late last week and will continue most of this week and it stretches from northern Parana northward to central and northeastern Brazil.

Normally at this time of the year in central Brazil, temperatures do not get excessive due to cloud cover and rainfall, but the skies are currently cloud-free in central Brazil. The combination of cloud-free skies and a sun that is directly overhead allows the temperatures to really soar. Currently, the sun is directly above central Brazil and on the Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere (December 21st), the noon-day sun will be directly above the Topic of Capricorn, which runs through northern Parana.

In addition to high air temperatures, the strong sunlight can cause the soil surface temperatures to reach as high as 55°C (130°F), which can be deadly for newly emerged soybeans that are already under moisture stress. Major areas of central Brazil currently have the lowest soil moisture in 30 years and the current heat wave will dry it out even more. These hot and dry conditions are going to slow soybean planting and result in more soybeans being replanted.

In contrast, southern Brazil continues to receive above normal rainfall with more heavy rain in the forecast especially for the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Tags: Brazil, rainfall, soybeans, temperatures, dry, Parana