Realistic illustration of São Paulo's record-breaking December heat wave, with over 40°C in 11 cities, sweaty crowds enduring shortages under red alert.
Realistic illustration of São Paulo's record-breaking December heat wave, with over 40°C in 11 cities, sweaty crowds enduring shortages under red alert.
Image generated by AI

São Paulo heat wave: 11 cities exceed 40°C, capital sets new December record

Image generated by AI

Building on Thursday's record in the capital, São Paulo state sweltered through extreme heat on Friday (December 26, 2025), with temperatures topping 40°C in 11 cities—peaking at 42.6°C in Miracatu. The capital reached 36.2°C, eclipsing the previous day's mark and the hottest December reading in 64 years. Inmet's red alert persists amid water shortages in peripheral areas.

São Paulo state's Civil Defense reported over 40°C in 11 municipalities on Friday, led by Miracatu (42.6°C) in Vale do Ribeira, followed by Pedro de Toledo (41.9°C), Sete Barras (41.7°C), and São Simão (40.1°C) in Ribeirão Preto. This extended the heat wave that saw the capital hit 35.9°C on Christmas.

At Mirante de Santana, Inmet recorded 36.2°C at 3 p.m.—topping Thursday's record and the highest December temperature since 1943, also the year's peak so far. The red alert for heat wave conditions remains until December 29, with temperatures 5°C above average across São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Southeast Brazil.

Intensifying strain on infrastructure, Sabesp cited a 60% consumption spike despite holiday absences, leaving reservoirs at 26%—a 10-year low. Peripheral areas like Butantã's higher neighborhoods, including Jardim São Jorge and Paulo VI, endured over 10 days of disruptions, exacerbated by power outages affecting pumps. Hairdresser Elaine Cristina dos Santos described washing clients' hair with bottled water on Christmas, losing business. Retiree Valeria dos Reis reported laundry pileups and low pressure. Sabesp's Samanta Souza called for conservation to stabilize supply. Inmet highlighted risks to vulnerable groups like the elderly and children, including dizziness and nausea.

What people are saying

X discussions focus on São Paulo state's extreme heat wave, with the capital setting a new December record at 36.2°C on December 26, interior cities like Miracatu exceeding 42°C, and Inmet's red alert persisting. Users express frustration over unbearable heat, high thermal sensations, water consumption warnings amid shortages, and power outages. Meteorologists highlight multiple records broken, while news accounts share alerts and forecasts.

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