On Monday (the 26th), one of the highest temperatures in the last 65 years was recorded in Maceió. According to data from the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet), thermometers reached the mark of 36.8°C. This figure is among the highest registered in the capital of the state of Alagoas since 1961, when the historical observation series began, and is the highest temperature recorded in 2026 so far.
Despite the high temperature, it is impossible to definitively confirm that this is a historical record, as the data from many years in the Inmet historical series contain errors.
Heat in Rural Areas
According to Professor Mateus Lyra from the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences of the Federal University of Alagoas (ICAT/Ufal), the intense heat was caused by the approach of a cold front that has been moving towards Bahia in recent days. The professor explained that the approach of this front contributed to the movement of warm air into the Maceió region, leading to an increase in temperature.
Furthermore, this phenomenon changed the direction and intensity of winds on the coast of Alagoas. Usually, the prevailing winds in the region blow from the southeast, but they began blowing from the northeast. The specialist noted: 'This frontal zone sucks in air near our region, allowing all these conditions to arise—both the movement of warm air increasing the temperature and the channeling of this air increasing the wind.'
The expert also recalled that a similar situation occurred on January 23, 2024, when Maceió recorded about 35.9°C.
Intense heat was also noted in other cities of Alagoas. According to Barbara Alves Batista, manager of Hydrometeorology of the State Secretariat for Environment and Water Resources (Semarh/AL), the temperature reached 42°C in Santana do Ipanema on Monday, and 43°C in Pau de Açúcar.