Tornadoes: why RS is among the most favorable regions in the world for the phenomenon The tornado that hit the northwest of Rio Grande do Sul this week drew attention to a phenomenon that is part of the state's history. According to the Digital Disaster Atlas, since 1991, RS has recorded at least 31 disasters associated with tornadoes, with 7,600 people directly affected and around R$68 million in material losses. The images recorded in Giruá show the strength of the phenomenon. Although it only lasted a few minutes, the tornado destroyed homes, toppled trees and killed animals. "We don't imagine it will happen here near us, here in Rio Grande do Sul. It's a very scary phenomenon. I was quite shocked", comments social worker Daiane de Oliveira Nunes. ? Access the g1 RS channel on WhatsApp Tornado corridor Rio Grande do Sul is located in the so-called tornado corridor of South America, considered one of the most favorable regions on the planet for the formation of these phenomena, behind only the central region of the United States. In this part of the continent, different atmospheric conditions often occur. One of the determining factors is the meeting of hot, humid air coming from the Amazon with cold air moving in from the south of the continent. When the winds change direction and speed depending on altitude, the storm begins to rotate. The tornado is precisely the rotating column of air that connects the base of the cloud to the ground. Within minutes, winds can exceed 300 kilometers per hour. The climatologist and professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Francisco Eliseu Aquino, states that the occurrence of the phenomenon is not uncommon in the state. "We need severe storm clouds, which are cumulonimbus clouds. Rio Grande do Sul, in recent weeks, has had dozens of these very developed storms. It is only from a cloud like this that a tornado or tornadoes can emerge", he explains. According to him, the possibility increases when there is strong atmospheric contrast. "The chance of a tornado occurring in Rio Grande do Sul increases when you have greater contrast, a hot front, with high instability and, consequently, associated rain and hail", he states. Tornado in RS RB News from Giruá/Images provided History of tornadoes in the state The recent meteorological event joins a long list of tornadoes that have marked Rio Grande do Sul in recent decades. In December 2003, Antônio Prado experienced one of the most serious episodes. The tornado left five dead and eight other people injured. Two years later, in September 2005, Many Capões recorded the destruction of houses caused by winds exceeding 180 kilometers per hour. In April 2014, Tapejara was hit by a tornado that left around 3,500 people homeless or homeless. In Erebango, a man died while trying to protect his son during the phenomenon. In March 2017, São Francisco de Paula had 110 houses destroyed, another 700 damaged and almost a thousand people were left outside their homes. Reconstruction took years. In June 2018, a sequence of tornadoes hit cities in the North of Rio Grande do Sul. In Cirático, Coxilha, Água Santa and Ronda Alta, the winds destroyed poultry farms, overturned silos, overturned trailers and caused two deaths. Climate change and severe storms GIF - Tornado is observed in Rio Grande do Sul Renan Bayer For the meteorologist at the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Maurício Ilha de Oliveira, there is evidence that a warmer environment favors the occurrence of severe storms. "The perception is that they will worsen, as there is a warmer atmosphere. It is an atmosphere that presents more of the ingredients that favor the formation of severe storms, including tornadoes, which tend to intensify", he says. He cites as examples the increase in moisture available in the atmosphere and the intensification of jet streams, strong winds that act at altitude. Challenge for forecasting Tornado in RS: phenomenon destroyed houses in Giruá Luis Frey/Disclosure Despite advances in meteorology, predicting exactly where a tornado will touch down is still a challenge. Meteorological models can indicate when there is a favorable environment for the formation of severe storms, but the exact location of the phenomenon remains difficult to determine. Therefore, experts reinforce the importance of following weather warnings and preparing for risky situations. "What we know is that we have to pay attention to the forecasts. We need to research more about this, understand their characteristics in this region. Understanding this is what enables us to better prepare for them", says meteorologist Maurício Ilha de Oliveira. Timeline of tornado records in RS December 2003: tornado in Antônio Prado leaves five dead and eight injured. September 2005: Many Capões records destruction of houses with winds above 180 km/h. April 2014: Tapejara and Erebango have around 3,500 homeless or homeless people; a death is recorded. March 2017: São Francisco de Paula has 110 houses destroyed, 700 damaged and almost a thousand people out of their homes. June 2018: sequence of tornadoes hits cities in the north of RS and causes two deaths. 2024: records of tornadoes in rural areas of Gentil and São Sepé. July 2026: tornado hits Giruá, in the northwest of the state. VIDEOS: Everything about RS