Amid world's largest carnival, Brazil braces for flooding rainfall through late week
By
Courtney Travis, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Feb 4, 2020 2:38 PM EDT
Hundreds of people were stranded on Jan. 31, after a landslide swept through a road near Sasquatch Mountain Resort in Douglas Ranges, British Columbia. Drone footage captured on Feb. 2 shows the devastation.
Flooding fears have returned for some of the largest cities in Brazil as rounds of heavy rainfall persist. The same front that was stalled across south Brazil last week will continue to trigger showers and thunderstorms farther north into Sunday.
"A widespread area from the Sao Paulo coast to north of Brasilia can expect 25 to 75 mm of rain (1-3 inches) through the week, with some heavier pockets of rain," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Eric Leister.
An AccuWeather Local StormMax™ï¸ of 6 inches is possible by Sunday afternoon.
Even during a wet time of the year for many of these locations, over 100 mm (4 inches) of rain in one week still marks a major dump of precipitation.
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Flash flooding could occur, and mudslides are possible on the very saturated hills. Road closures and other travel disruptions are likely throughout the week in locations where the heaviest downpours occur.
The wet weather will also disrupt festivals and events in the region this week. Rio Carnival, one of the biggest festivals of the year worldwide, may also experience delays or cancellations.
Carnival King Momo, Djeferson Mendes da Silva, second from left, holds the key to the city at a ceremony marking the official start of Carnival on Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
The opening of the festival began on Jan. 12, with some of the biggest events commencing in the final week before the start of Lent.
In areas that have already been hit hard this year, even lesser rainfall amounts can aggravate flooding.
Sao Paulo received some heavy rain even just in the past week. In just five days, about 62 mm (2.5 inches) of rain fell from late January to early February.
The city of Belo Horizonte experienced deadly flooding in January, where more than 174 mm (6.4 inches) of rain fell in just two days.
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News / Severe Weather
Amid world's largest carnival, Brazil braces for flooding rainfall through late week
By Courtney Travis, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Feb 4, 2020 2:38 PM EDT
Hundreds of people were stranded on Jan. 31, after a landslide swept through a road near Sasquatch Mountain Resort in Douglas Ranges, British Columbia. Drone footage captured on Feb. 2 shows the devastation.
Flooding fears have returned for some of the largest cities in Brazil as rounds of heavy rainfall persist. The same front that was stalled across south Brazil last week will continue to trigger showers and thunderstorms farther north into Sunday.
"A widespread area from the Sao Paulo coast to north of Brasilia can expect 25 to 75 mm of rain (1-3 inches) through the week, with some heavier pockets of rain," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Eric Leister.
An AccuWeather Local StormMax™ï¸ of 6 inches is possible by Sunday afternoon.
Even during a wet time of the year for many of these locations, over 100 mm (4 inches) of rain in one week still marks a major dump of precipitation.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
Flash flooding could occur, and mudslides are possible on the very saturated hills. Road closures and other travel disruptions are likely throughout the week in locations where the heaviest downpours occur.
The wet weather will also disrupt festivals and events in the region this week. Rio Carnival, one of the biggest festivals of the year worldwide, may also experience delays or cancellations.
Carnival King Momo, Djeferson Mendes da Silva, second from left, holds the key to the city at a ceremony marking the official start of Carnival on Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
The opening of the festival began on Jan. 12, with some of the biggest events commencing in the final week before the start of Lent.
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In areas that have already been hit hard this year, even lesser rainfall amounts can aggravate flooding.
Sao Paulo received some heavy rain even just in the past week. In just five days, about 62 mm (2.5 inches) of rain fell from late January to early February.
The city of Belo Horizonte experienced deadly flooding in January, where more than 174 mm (6.4 inches) of rain fell in just two days.
Report a Typo