By Michela DellaMonica, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The high temperatures that gripped Rio de Janeiro this last week will continue over the weekend. According to estimates from the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET), Rio residents should only catch a break on Sunday, January 5th when a cold front moves in. During the weekend, heavy but fleeting rains may occur in Northern and Western areas.
According to the chief meteorologist of INMET, Marlene Leal, the intense heat in the city in recent days is the result of the elevation of the moisture from the rainy season, coupled with high temperatures. Despite the arrival of the cold front scheduled for this weekend, the temperatures should only drop moderately.
“In the next 48 hours, the cold front should arrive just south of Rio de Janeiro until Sunday. The forecast is for good weather, rain in the afternoon and early evening, typical of spring weather. In the southern region of the state near Costa Verde, Resende, Papakura and Paraty, the rain will be fairly strong”, she warned on O Dia.
Yesterday’s highest reached a boiling 50°C in Rio’s Zona Oeste (West Zone) of Jacarepaguá and nearly 40°C on the coast, drawing a crowd of sunbathers and beachgoers to Rio’s famous beaches, enjoying the sun and refreshing ocean temperatures. With the mercury at an all-time high, authorities advise to drink fluids as often as possible to keep hydrated as well as apply sunblock.
Read more (in Portuguese).
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