Rio warns of extreme heat, possibility of record-high temperatures
Weather forecasts predict high temperatures in Rio de Janeiro, particularly on Monday (Feb. 17) and Tuesday (Feb. 18). The Rio Alert System warns that these days may be the hottest of the week, potentially breaking the February record of 41.8°C set in 2023.
“We’re experiencing a very dry February with minimal rainfall. As of February 16, the average is just 5 millimeters. We’re facing another week without rain, and the forecast for the end of the month doesn’t show much precipitation. We could be looking at one of the driest Februaries on record,” said Raquel Franco, chief meteorologist at the Rio Alert System.
In response to this situation, Rio's local authorities announced that if the city reaches Heat 4 on the protocol established by the municipal administration, 58 cooling points will be made available. “These areas will offer shade, hydration stations, and restrooms at Naves of Knowledge—public places offering technology and innovation workshops, municipal parks, Olympic villages, and other city facilities,” said Marcus Belchior, head of the Operations and Resilience Center (COR-Rio).
Additionally, workers exposed to the sun must take regular hydration breaks, and the municipal health network must be ready to handle an increase in cases related to the extreme heat.
“We’re currently at Heat 3, and there’s a high likelihood we’ll reach Heat 4 this week. However, the forecasts don’t suggest we’ll hit Heat 5,” said Rio's mayor, Eduardo Paes, during a press conference to assess weather conditions and announce measures for the public.
Paes stated that the municipal administration would not request the cancellation of street carnival parades, nor would they prevent the public from participating in activities during this summer and pre-carnival period, despite the forecasted intense heat. However, he urged extreme caution in light of the weather forecast.
“Anyone who has ever danced or participated in a daytime carnival events in Rio de Janeiro knows what I’m talking about. However, we can urge revelers to drink more water, stay hydrated, take necessary precautions, and seek environments with lower health risks,” he said.
Paes noted that the city’s perspective on the heat changed following the death of 23-year-old student Ana Clara Benevides Machado from heat exhaustion in November 2023, during a Taylor Swift concert at the Engenhão stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
“We don’t want to control anyone; we simply want people to be aware of what’s happening and the risks involved,” said Paes.
The mayor emphasized that Rio’s summers have always been very hot, and reaching 40°C at this time of year is nothing new. However, this year, the situation is exacerbated by higher temperatures, more frequent days of intense heat, and stronger apparent temperature indexes than in the past.
