Southern Brazil Braces For New Wave Of Flooding Rain

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By Drew Lerner

Kansas City, June 5 (World Weather Inc.) – Excessive rain and flooding is nothing new to Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.  There are certain times of the year in which excessive rains often occur, but that does not mean the state is able to withstand all of the moisture and not suffer at least some damage. The past three weeks have brought multiple waves of heavy rain to the state resulting in some significant flooding and one more wave of torrential rain is expected Wednesday into Thursday that will likely lead to more flooding.

The most significant rain has been falling since May 13. During the three week and two day period since May 13, rainfall in Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina has ranged from 11.00 to 23.00 inches. Neighboring areas of northeastern Uruguay, northeastern Argentina, southernmost Paraguay and portions of Parana have also been impacted by frequent rainfall with amounts varying from 4.00 to nearly 9.00 inches. Flooding has impacted each of these areas at one time or another with some damage to both personal property and agricultural.

Surprisingly, the damage has been kept somewhat contained because of significant breaks between the greater waves of rain. The most recent break has occurred over the past few days, although rain has been falling recently in Santa Catarina and Parana and more is expected in the two states until Thursday.

Rainfall expected Tuesday through Thursday of this week will be impressive once again. Amounts in southern Mato Grosso do Sul and Parana will range from 1.00 to 3.00 inches while amounts from Rio Grande do Sul to Misiones and Corrientes, Argentina to southwestern Paraguay will range from 2.00 to 5.00 inches and local totals to nearly 7.00 inches. The greatest rainfall will occur near Sao Luis Gonzaga, Rio Grande do Sul where more than 23.00 inches has already fallen since May 13.  Sao Luis Gonzaga may end up with nearly 30.00 inches of rain by Thursday night of this week.

Flooding has damaged some late season crops and a considerable amount of personal property. Late season soybeans, corn and rice were negatively impacted, although the amount of those crops remaining in the state is suspected of being quite low.

Winter wheat has likely taken the brunt of the impact. Some early planted wheat will have to be replanted because of flooding and washed out seed. A large part of the wheat crop has not been planted because of the wet weather and the crop will likely be notably late going into the soil if producers are going to continue with planting.

Several days of drying are expected in southern Brazil before the next round of rain impacts the region during the middle part of next week. That rain event is not expected to be nearly as significant as that of this week. Nevertheless it is additional rain that will not be welcome.

Some of the wheat in Parana and sugarcane in both Parana and Mato Grosso do Sul has been negatively impacted by surplus moisture. Second season corn has also endured the wetter bias and needs drier weather to promote better crop maturation and harvest conditions. Sugarcane has likely lost some sucrose value and harvest delays are continuing.

A little further north Sao Paulo and other center south and center west crop areas reported greater than usual rainfall in May, but it occurred over a few days and it was of much lighter intensity. Relatively dry weather has occurred since that time in mid-May to improve crop maturation and harvest progress.

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