The World Today
Cold front changes the weather: rain, storms and gusts from Thursday
A cold front accompanied by an extratropical cyclone began affecting Uruguay on Thursday the 18th, bringing widespread rain and the possibility of severe storms, especially in the southern part of the country.
The arrival of the system will affect much of the weekend, with potentially significant accumulations in some departments and wind gusts reaching between 30 and 40 km/h, according to reports from meteorological services and forecast models.
Storms and accumulated storms — where to expect the worst
Models predict that rainfall will begin in the north of the country on Thursday and move southward and toward the coast over the next 48 to 72 hours. Experts warn that the greatest impact will be concentrated in the south and areas near the border with Brazil, where accumulated rainfall could be higher.
Risks from wind gusts and electrical activity
In addition to rain, instability will bring gusts contributed by the extratropical cyclone; episodes of intense thunderstorms and occasional hailstorms are not ruled out. It is recommended to heed local alerts and avoid unnecessary travel during peak periods.
What Inumet says and how it affects each region
Inumet confirms that Thursday will be mostly cloudy to overcast across the country, with scattered showers and thunderstorms; temperatures will range between approximately 12°C and 23°C depending on the region, and visibility may be reduced by morning fog. In Montevideo and the Metropolitan Area, northeasterly winds with gusts of up to 40 km/h are expected in the afternoon and evening.
Montevideo and Metropolitan Area — afternoon/evening service
For the capital, the forecast calls for an unstable morning with scattered showers and an intensification of precipitation in the afternoon and evening; meteorological authorities are focusing on gusts and a possible reduction in visibility due to thunderstorms.
Regional influence — the signal from Brazil (Metsul)
Forecasts for southern Brazil show increased instability in Rio Grande do Sul starting Friday, and this atmospheric pulse is pushing the center of the disturbance toward Uruguay. MetSul models and other numerical platforms agree that the bordering areas will see the greatest accumulations, increasing the risk for border departments.
🔴 ATTENTION – ALERT | Chuva vomosa will reach the South of Brazil in the direction of the station with marks of 100 mm to 200 mm in some areas. Said when it should stop and where the volumes should be higher.
‼️ Leia or alert: ▶️ https://t.co/vRYj3BvsuH pic.twitter.com/SsOyf19RJ1
— MetSul.com (@metsul) September 17, 2025
What to expect next — when calm returns
Models predict a gradual improvement starting Tuesday the 23rd, with the arrival of a cold, dry air mass that will clear the atmosphere and cause a drop in temperature. Until then, the key will be to monitor the evolution of the weather systems and heed official warnings.
The episode combines a cold front that modifies temperatures and circulation, and an extratropical cyclone that increases instability. For the public: check Inumet warnings, secure anchors and outdoor objects, postpone travel if there are alerts, and take extreme care on coastal routes and low-lying areas that may flood. For producers and municipalities, prepare drainage channels and coordinate information with Civil Defense.
