Brazil Under Orange Alert as Severe Storms Bring Heavy Rainfall and Strong Winds to Multiple States

INMET Issues Orange Warning for Widespread Storms

The National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) has placed several Brazilian states under an orange warning for severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, effective from November 30 to December 2, 2025. This alert signifies a significant risk of intense weather phenomena, including rainfall up to four inches (approximately 100 mm) and strong winds reaching speeds of up to 62 mph (approximately 100 km/h).

States currently under this warning include Amazonas, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Pará, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondônia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, and Tocantins.

Expected Impacts and Ongoing Challenges

The severe weather is anticipated to cause widespread disruption. Authorities have warned of potential power outages, falling tree branches, and significant flooding. In Santa Catarina, heavy rains have already led to flooded roads and infrastructural damage, with further flooding, landslides, and road closures expected across the warned regions. Local authorities are also cautioning residents about road blockages, overflowing streams, urban flooding, and electrical outages.

Throughout November 2025, Brazil has experienced a series of extreme weather events. On November 7, a severe storm system impacted large areas, with a red alert issued for Rio Grande do Sul and an orange alert for São Paulo and other regions, warning of strong winds, dangerous storm surges, heavy rainfall, and potential coastal flooding. The same day saw a destructive F4 tornado devastate Rio Bonito do Iguaçu in Paraná, resulting in five fatalities, 835 injuries, and extensive damage. Another F4 tornado struck Guarapuava and Candói, causing an additional death, and nine other tornadoes were reported in Santa Catarina and Paraná.

Earlier in the month, on November 1, severe weather, including thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds, triggered widespread flooding in Paraná and São Paulo, leading to at least one fatality and 60 injuries in Regente Feijó, São Paulo, and damaging over 3,200 homes in Paraná. Towards the end of the month, on November 26, large parts of southern Brazil, including Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, and Paraná, were under emergency due to heavy storms and a passing cyclone, causing significant flooding and isolating communities, with Luiz Alves in Santa Catarina being particularly affected.

Public Safety and Travel Advisories

In light of the ongoing severe weather, residents in affected areas are strongly advised to take precautions. INMET and local civil defense agencies recommend that individuals:

• Avoid walking through floodwaters.
• Stay away from slopes due to the risk of landslides.
• Monitor official communications and civil defense instructions.

Travelers are specifically advised to defer all non-essential travel to affected areas until at least December 5. It is also recommended that accommodations have access to backup power and water supplies, and that individuals reconfirm the status of routes before undertaking any travel.