Brazil begins its winter season this week with meteorological forecasts predicting starkly different weather patterns across the country's various regions.

These shifts are significant because they impact agriculture and public health, particularly as the El Niño phenomenon begins to influence regional climates. The seasonal transition brings a combination of extreme dryness in some areas and heavy precipitation in others.

Reports on the exact start of the season vary. According to the Instituto de Meteorologia, winter officially began on Friday, June 20, 2026, at 23:42 BRT [2]. However, the Jovem Pan News meteorological team said the season begins on Sunday, June 21, 2026 [1]. The winter period is expected to last until Sept. 22, 2026 [1].

Regional forecasts indicate that the Centro-Oeste and Norte regions will experience hotter and drier conditions [1]. Conversely, the Sul region and the state of São Paulo are expected to see above-average rainfall [1]. In Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, temperatures for the first Saturday of winter are projected to range between 13 °C and 27 °C [2].

Meteorologists said that the El Niño phenomenon will play a critical role in these patterns. The influence of El Niño is expected to reach its maximum intensity from September onward [1]. This atmospheric pattern typically disrupts normal rainfall and temperature distributions across South America, altering the typical winter experience for millions of residents.

Local authorities and residents are monitoring the transition as the country moves into the colder months. The contrast between the arid North and the rainy South highlights the complex climatic volatility currently affecting the Brazilian landscape.

“Winter is expected to last until Sept. 22, 2026.”

The divergence in regional weather—marked by drought in the North and flooding risks in the South—underscores the intensifying impact of El Niño on South American climate stability. As the phenomenon peaks in September, Brazil may face increased challenges in water management and crop production, requiring adaptive strategies to mitigate the effects of extreme weather polarity.