Flooding fears renewed as persistent rainfall Brazil this week
By
Courtney Travis, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Jan 30, 2020 5:00 PM EDT
Ongoing heavy rainfall has caused major flooding in Belo Horizonte, the state capital of Minas Gerais in Brazil. At least 60 people have been killed in the flooding and 30,000 have been displaced.
Although flooding rain has already hit parts of Brazil so far in 2020, more rain and flooding could strike parts of the country this week.
In addition to southern Brazil, other parts of South America may also be threatened.
"A stalling front will lead to daily rounds of showers and drenching thunderstorms into early this week," said Accuweather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls.
The rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected across southern Brazil and into eastern Paraguay and eastern Bolivia.
Even amid the normally wet stretch of the year in January and February, when some cities receive over 200 mm of rain (about 8 inches) in a month's time, some communities could total this much rain in just a single week.
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"The heaviest rain, and the greatest risk for flooding is anticipated from Parana into Sao Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul in southern Brazil," added Nicholls.
This will also be the area where locally strong thunderstorms are anticipated. These storms are likely to produce heavier downpours, damaging winds and even some hail.
Strong thunderstorms pushed through Rio de Janeiro on Thursday night, causing street flooding and downed trees.
Power outages were also reported throughout the city on Thursday night.
Much of the heaviest rain through the middle of next week is expected to stay south and east of some of the areas hardest hit in January, including the city of Belo Horizonte.
Firefighters search for victims near houses destroyed by a landslide after heavy rain in Barreiro, Minas Gerias state, Brazil, Saturday, Jan.25, 2020. The death toll caused by record rainfall in southeastern Brazil jumped on Sunday and officials expressed alarm about continuing storms. (Flavio Tavares/Futura Press via AP)
More than 50 deaths were attributed to flooding and landslides from heavy rainfall that hit the city on Jan. 24.
While the heaviest rain is not anticipated to reach the Belo Horizonte region, some steadier rain may return late next week. Even a small amount of rain, given how wet it has been since the start of the year, could lead to the return of flooding issues.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com for more updates.
Report a Typo
News / Severe Weather
Flooding fears renewed as persistent rainfall Brazil this week
By Courtney Travis, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Jan 30, 2020 5:00 PM EDT
Ongoing heavy rainfall has caused major flooding in Belo Horizonte, the state capital of Minas Gerais in Brazil. At least 60 people have been killed in the flooding and 30,000 have been displaced.
Although flooding rain has already hit parts of Brazil so far in 2020, more rain and flooding could strike parts of the country this week.
In addition to southern Brazil, other parts of South America may also be threatened.
"A stalling front will lead to daily rounds of showers and drenching thunderstorms into early this week," said Accuweather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls.
The rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected across southern Brazil and into eastern Paraguay and eastern Bolivia.
Even amid the normally wet stretch of the year in January and February, when some cities receive over 200 mm of rain (about 8 inches) in a month's time, some communities could total this much rain in just a single week.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
"The heaviest rain, and the greatest risk for flooding is anticipated from Parana into Sao Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul in southern Brazil," added Nicholls.
This will also be the area where locally strong thunderstorms are anticipated. These storms are likely to produce heavier downpours, damaging winds and even some hail.
Strong thunderstorms pushed through Rio de Janeiro on Thursday night, causing street flooding and downed trees.
Power outages were also reported throughout the city on Thursday night.
Related:
Much of the heaviest rain through the middle of next week is expected to stay south and east of some of the areas hardest hit in January, including the city of Belo Horizonte.
Firefighters search for victims near houses destroyed by a landslide after heavy rain in Barreiro, Minas Gerias state, Brazil, Saturday, Jan.25, 2020. The death toll caused by record rainfall in southeastern Brazil jumped on Sunday and officials expressed alarm about continuing storms. (Flavio Tavares/Futura Press via AP)
More than 50 deaths were attributed to flooding and landslides from heavy rainfall that hit the city on Jan. 24.
While the heaviest rain is not anticipated to reach the Belo Horizonte region, some steadier rain may return late next week. Even a small amount of rain, given how wet it has been since the start of the year, could lead to the return of flooding issues.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com for more updates.
Report a Typo