Why are weather conditions causing power outages?

Storms increase the number of blackouts and millions of Brazilians are left without electricity
Why are weather conditions causing power outages?
Storms interfere with the country's power distribution. Photo: Freepik

Blackouts have been affecting millions of people in Brazil throughout 2024. Only in October, one of the biggest cases occurred in RMSP (Metropolitan Region of São Paulo), leaving about 3 million of consumers no power for days.

Residences, businesses e companies are affected by blackouts caused by climate changes , the dry, heat waves, cold fronts, floods e forest fires which are becoming increasingly intense.

Only in the year of 2023, Brazil had 12 extreme weather events ed by WMO (World Meteorological Organization) da ONU (United Nations).

These phenomena are caused by high emission of greenhouse gases, which retains heat and raises the average temperature of the planet causing more frequent and intense events

The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas, used in the power generation e Services, increase the level of C02 in the atmosphere and is one of the main causes of global warming.

Interference of heavy rains in the distribution of electricity

Heavy rains have caused infrastructural problems to the electrical grid, such as damage to cables, wirings, substations e electrical equipment that can cause short circuits, explosions e fires, causing material damage and power outages

Furthermore, they can affect posts e towers that can be overturned with the force of the water, interrupting the Energy supply. In many flooded areas it is necessary to carry out the preventive shutdown to prevent damage to infrastructure and ensure safety. 

But the main risks are to safety, with electric shocks., drowning e falls of equipment that poses a danger to people nearby. 

Predictions for the next period

Um extratropical cyclone is intensifying the rains in the regions Sul, Southeast e Midwest the country. 

O InMet (National Institute of Meteorology) issued weather warnings of alert de yellow peril with potential for occurrence of severe storms e intense winds.

Hair Rio Grande do Sul the forecast is  chuvas closest intense at risk of granizo e rays. With bursts of wind between 60 and 80 km/h, even without rain, reaching 100 km/h in isolated areas.

There is also a risk of severe phenomenaas the tornadoes e microexplosions, And floods, floods, falling trees e roofing which may harm the energy supply.

Yes, Santa Catarina e Paraná are on alert for heavy rains e strong winds with gusts of wind that can reach between 71 and 90 km / h and risk of granizo.

The Southeast and Central-West regions should be impacted by the formation of an extratropical cyclone in the South that will bring heavy rains to these regions with storms forecast for the states of São Paulo e Mato Grosso do Sul. Besides isolated rains em Goiás, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais e Rio de Janeiro, with rainfall volumes above 60 mm.

However, in northeast region there is a forecast of very hot e moderate rain na Bahia, Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraíba e Rio Grande do Norte. Little rain in Maranhão and stable weather in other locations.

Finally, in the North region o steady weather should remain in Roraima, Amapá, Para e Tocantins. Rain showers No. Amazon and Rondônia.

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Photo by Emily Castro
Emily Castro
Graduating in Journalism from the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas, she has experience in producing articles for news portals, radio and podcasts. She also works as a producer for the Papo Solar Podcast and the Solar em 60 and Estude com o projects. Canal.

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