The National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) issued a severe weather alert for East Minas Gerais, forecasting intense rainfall, winds of up to 100 km/h, and the occurrence of hail.
According to INMET, precipitation is expected to range between 30 and 60 millimeters per hour, or accumulated amounts of 50 to 100 millimeters throughout the day. This warning will be active from midnight until 11:59 PM. Furthermore, strong winds are predicted, reaching speeds between 60 and 100 km/h, along with the possibility of hailstones falling.
The institute warned about several risks associated with this weather event, including possible interruptions in electricity supply, damage to crops, falling trees, and flooding.
In a bulletin released this Thursday (the 1st), INMET confirmed that East Minas is under an orange danger warning for storms this Friday.
Cold front alters climate in Southeast
The passage of a cold front is altering meteorological conditions across much of the Southeast region, according to INMET. On Friday, the weather will be unstable, with forecasts for thunderstorms and rain in various areas of the region. Specifically in East Minas, the alert is classified as a storm danger warning.
The institute also anticipated isolated rain showers for the west, center, and east of Minas Gerais during the day.
Cities covered by the alert
The affected regions include municipalities in the Ipatinga area, such as Antônio Dias, Açucena, Belo Oriente, Coronel Fabriciano, Ipatinga, Jaguaraçu, Joanésia, Marliéria, Mesquita, Naque, Periquito, Santana do Paraíso, and Timóteo. Another region covered is Governador Valadares, encompassing Alpercata, Capitão Andrade, Coroaci, Divino das Laranjeiras, Engenheiro Caldas, Fernandes Tourinho, Frei Inocêncio, Galiléia, Governador Valadares, Itanhomi, Marilac, Mathias Lobato, Nacip Raydan, São Geraldo da Piedade, São Geraldo do Baixio, Sobrália, Tumiritinga, and Virgolândia. This regional list is based on the municipal division of the Ipatinga and Governador Valadares microregions.
Instability persists on Saturday
On Saturday (the 3rd), the weather is expected to remain unstable in much of the Southeast. INMET predicted rain accompanied by thunderstorms in Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, and Rio de Janeiro, with most of the region under a yellow potential danger warning for storms. In other locations in Minas Gerais, only isolated rains are expected, and the institute also reported that temperatures will tend to decrease in the region.
Safety guidelines
In situations of wind gusts, INMET advises people to avoid sheltering under trees due to the risk of electrical discharges and falls. It is also not recommended to park vehicles near transmission towers or advertising signs. The general recommendation is to turn off electrical equipment and the main power panel, if it is safe to do so.
For more information, citizens can contact Civil Defense at 199 or the Fire Department at 193.
