As South America experiences mid-summer, intense heat waves are sweeping across the region.
According to a press release on Monday from the government of Rio Grande do Sul, reports from meteorological agencies in Uruguay and Chile, and disaster prevention authorities on X, temperatures in southern Brazil are forecast to reach around 40°C during the day this week. As a result, the reopening of more than 2,300 schools in Rio Grande do Sul, initially scheduled for Monday after summer break, has been postponed by a week.
Southern Brazil, which typically enjoys a milder climate than the northern regions, has recently faced extreme weather conditions. In 2024, record-breaking floods killed over 180 people, highlighting the increasingly unpredictable climate in recent years. In Uruguay, a heat dome has enveloped the capital, Montevideo, where nighttime temperatures remain above 30°C, offering no relief from the heat.
Argentina has also been gripped by scorching temperatures, with the heat index in Buenos Aires soaring past 40°C during the day. The Argentine meteorological agency posted on X that rainfall expected on Tuesday could bring daytime temperatures down to around 25°C and urged residents to be cautious of sharp temperature fluctuations. Meanwhile, the extreme heat has fueled wildfires in Chile, forcing residents to evacuate in several areas.