Rio de Janeiro is expected to face the highest temperatures among Brazilian capitals this weekend. According to the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET), thermometers in the capital of Rio de Janeiro could reach 37ºC this Saturday (10) and 38ºC on Sunday (11). The intense heat is expected to persist next week, with a predicted maximum of 39ºC on Monday (12).
In addition to the capital, several municipalities in the state are also expected to suffer from excess heat. The Health Intelligence Center of the State of Rio de Janeiro (CIS/SES-RJ), linked to the State Department of Health, predicts that municipalities in Rio de Janeiro will enter the Orange — Severe level this Sunday (11), within the Excess Heat Index (EHF).
Among the cities listed are Belford Roxo, Japeri, Maricá, Piraí, Queimados, São Gonçalo, Seropédica, Nova Iguaçu, Guapimirim and Itaguaí.
The EHF is an indicator that measures the risk of heat to health by comparing the temperature forecast for the next three days with the climate history of the last three decades in each region. The index is divided into four levels: Green (without excess), Yellow (slight), Orange (severe) and Red (extreme).
The Severe level occurs when temperatures are among the hottest 15% of the local historical series. The Extreme level, considered rare, indicates heat up to three times higher than the severe limit, representing a high risk to health.
