Ubatuba, located on the North Coast of São Paulo, Brazil, experienced intense storms over the weekend that led to substantial damage. Meteorologist Giovanni Dolif from the National Center for Monitoring and Natural Disaster Alerts (Cemaden) attributed this severe weather to the combination of a stationary cold front and higher than average sea temperatures. The cold front lingered in the region, bringing winds that, when encountering the Serra do Mar mountain range, contributed to the development of heavy rain clouds.

The severity of the rainfall can also be linked to abnormally high sea surface temperatures, reaching approximately 29°C, which is 3°C above the norm. This elevation in temperature provides additional energy in terms of heat and moisture, both of which serve as vital components for cloud formation and increased rainfall. In Ubatuba, over 290 millimeters of rain was recorded since last Saturday, resulting in flooding and other environmental challenges.

Such weather patterns raise questions about climate change's impact on local weather phenomena, suggesting that warmer sea temperatures may lead to more frequent and severe storms in coastal areas. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of regions like Ubatuba to extreme weather events and the importance of having effective disaster preparedness plans in place.