El Niño in Santa Catarina is classified as 'very strong' intensity

The bodies that monitor the climate in Santa Catarina began to classify the current El Niño as having "very strong" intensity in the state. In a statement released on Tuesday (29), the state Civil Defense and Epagri/Ciram reinforced the warning for spring, which is expected to record above-average rainfall.

The classification was adopted after international data released this week showed a warming of 2.2 °C on the sea surface in the reference region for monitoring the phenomenon. The index exceeded the 2°C limit used to define an event of very strong intensity.

Santa Catarina Civil Defense meteorologist Nicolle Reis explained that current data supports the change of category:

"For this category, sea surface temperature anomalies need to reach or exceed the level of 2°C. In the last week, this value reached 2.2°C", he details.

According to the Civil Defense of Santa Catarina, although the condition has already been observed in recent months, including reports of hail in different regions, the new classification of the phenomenon gains even more relevance with the advance of spring, which began on September 22nd. The season continues until December 21st.

In addition to the gradual increase in temperatures as summer approaches, the period is naturally marked by more rain and storms with windstorms, lightning and hail in the state. With El Niño very strong, this pattern should intensify between October and December.

Historically, El Niño favors increased rainfall in southern Brazil.

Associated with the characteristics of the season, this phenomenon tends to increase the frequency and volumes of precipitation in Santa Catarina in the coming months.

"The combination of a very strong El Niño, high volumes of rain and greater frequency of storms increases the probability of impacts associated with windstorms and hail, in addition to events caused by excess rain, such as flooding, flash floods, floods and landslides", says the Civil Defense in a note.