2017 South America spring forecast: Drought to persist in eastern Brazil; Frequent storms to pose flood risk to Chile, Argentina.
Dry weather will be the theme for much of eastern and northern South America this spring, which will raise drought concerns as the season progresses.
Meanwhile, frequent storms will bring the threat for flooding farther south in parts of Chile and Argentina.
Drought to worsen across eastern Brazil The threat for drought will loom for Brazil in the coming months as dry conditions dominate the weather pattern.
While drought concerns grow across much of Brazil, other parts of the country will see more frequent rain.
“Areas farther south in Brazil, and into Paraguay, Uruguay and northern Argentina have had adequate rains during the winter and we expect near- to slightly above-normal rainfall in these area for the spring as a whole,” Nicholls said.
There is some concern that the rain may become less frequent by November in this area; however, it is unlikely that drought will begin to set in.
Dry pattern to raise drought concerns from Colombia to French Guiana Winter rains have helped to ease drought conditions across northern areas of South America; however, dry conditions are poised to return in the coming months.
Rounds of rain to bring flood threat to Chile, Argentina While many areas of South America cope with drier-than-normal conditions during the spring months, wet weather will be more common in southern regions of the continent.
“Frequent storms are likely across southern Chile into southern Argentina during September into October with the risk of flooding in these areas,” Nicholls said.