August temperatures have soared to 42C after the country recorded its hottest July ever,
Euronews reports.
Brazil has been hit by record temperatures of almost 42°C, despite still being in winter.
The rare heatwave engulfed 19 of Brazil's 26 states on Thursday, as well as the capital of Brasilia, according to the National Meteorological Institute.
It also brought dry conditions and low humidity for the country that's home to the Amazon tropical rainforest.
Earlier this month, Chile also experienced a winter heatwave with temperatures soaring to 37°C.
Four state capitals recorded the year’s highest temperature on Wednesday. Cuiabá, in central-western Brazil, the highs reached 41.8°C.
Residents in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil’s two most populous cities, were also hit by the heatwave. In Rio, temperatures reached 38.7°C on Thursday - the city's second hottest day of 2023.
Beachgoers hit many of the country's famous sandy stretches, including the Rio's Copacabana.
Authorities said northeastern states of Bahia and Piauí saw the air humidity drop below 20 per cent and the government recommended people avoid physical activities and stay indoors during the hottest times of the day.
Summer is still four months away in the Southern Hemisphere.
