Bomb cyclone threatens the South; alert in the cannabis sector
New bomb cyclone advances through Brazil. Check out the risk map for states and alerts for cannabis cultivation. Click to read the full article!
Where will the bomb cyclone pass through? The formation of a high-intensity extratropical cyclone over the South Atlantic triggered a weather alert in south-central Brazil. The phenomenon — driven by a rapid drop in atmospheric pressure (a process known as bombogenesis) — advances, causing heavy rains, storms with risk of hail, and wind gusts that could exceed 100 km/h.
In addition to impacts on urban centers and traditional agribusiness, the threat renews concern in the Brazilian cannabis sector, which vividly recalls the damages caused by severe weather events in the Southern Region.
Updated forecast: the path of the bomb cyclone
The cyclone formed off the Southern Coast and is gaining strength heading out to sea, but the cold front associated with the system is the main driver of instability over the mainland.
States on alert and forecasted conditions
- Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Paraná:
- Status: Most vulnerable regions under gale and storm warnings.
- Conditions: Winds between 60 km/h and 100 km/h, high lightning activity, and concentrated rainfall.
- Trend: As the cyclone shifts, an incoming polar air mass will cause temperatures to drop over the weekend, with a risk of frost in the South.
- São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Rio de Janeiro:
- Status: Shift in the weather as the system advances, bringing rain showers, a drop in temperature, and rough seas.
- Conditions: Moderate to strong winds along the coast and inland, along with high ocean swells.
- Minas Gerais and Goiás:
- Status: Increased cloudiness and isolated showers in Southern Minas Gerais and surrounding areas.
The risk to agribusiness and the precedent in the medical cannabis sector
The occurrence of extreme weather events poses a constant threat to highly sensitive crops and greenhouse structures (indoor and outdoor). The medical cannabis sector in Brazil experienced firsthand the severity of these phenomena on July 13, 2023, when an extratropical cyclone caused extensive destruction in Santa Catarina.
The case of Santa Cannabis: destruction and a new beginning
At the time, the storm directly struck the facilities of Santa Cannabis (Brazilian Medical Cannabis Association):
- Loss of greenhouses: Three outdoor greenhouses were severely damaged by winds and storms, destroying essential equipment and jeopardizing plants intended for the treatment of hundreds of patients.
- Mobilization and campaign: To rebuild the cultivation area and ensure the continued supply of CBD and THC oils to members, the organization launched the fundraising campaign "Santa Ajuda" ("Holy Help").
- Strategic shift in cultivation: Recurrent climate vulnerability in the Southern Region prompted an operational restructuring. Led by association president Pedro Sabaciauskis, Santa Cannabis began investing in organic production in rural São Paulo, in partnership with cultivation expert Masami Yoshimizu, migrating to regions and structural models safer against severe weather.
The urgency of climate mitigation protocols in the sector
The July 2023 episode became a wake-up call regarding the urgency of professionalizing risk management in medical cannabis in the country. With the advance of the new bomb cyclone, the scenario highlights the pressing need to refine and standardize climate containment protocols in the sector.
Faced with the increasing frequency of extreme events in the South and Southeast, experts and market players emphasize that the rigorous implementation of preventive measures — such as reinforcing greenhouse anchorage, strategically choosing wind-resistant structures, and planning damage mitigation in authorized cultivations — is vital to protect crops and prevent supply shortages of essential medicines for patients.
Recommendations for the coming days
- Attention to structures: Agricultural producers and associations are advised to reinforce coverings, plastic sheeting, and greenhouse anchorages.
- Sharper drop in temperature: Starting this weekend, the polar air mass will gain strength, requiring extra care against frost in rural areas of the South.
- Civil Defense guidance: Avoid taking shelter under trees during wind gusts, stay away from exposed metal structures, and follow official weather reports.