Heat of almost 40 °C affects the development of crops in Rio Grande do Sul

Between January 22 and 28, Rio Grande do Sul faced an intense heatwave, with temperatures nearing 40 °C in various regions. The situation worries producers and technicians, with direct impacts on crops, pastures, and animal welfare. According to data from the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Sustainable Production, and Irrigation of Rio Grande do Sul, the action of a high-pressure system ensured stable weather throughout the last week of January in Rio Grande do Sul. Without clouds and with a scarcity of rain, maximum temperatures increased progressively. On the 27th and 28th, intense heat took over the Gaucho territory, with highs reaching 39.2 °C in Santo Antônio das Missões. The interior of the state was the most impacted, with widespread records above 38 °C. On the other hand, precipitation was far below what was needed: only isolated points received volumes between 5 and 20 mm, with the highest accumulation in Santa Vitória do Palmar (19.9 mm). The combination of high ...