Record-Breaking Heatwave Sweeps South America, Threatening Coffee Prices

South America, particularly Brazil, is set to experience scorching temperatures as winter comes to an end. A heat dome of high pressure, combined with the influence of El Niño, has led to temperatures as much as 30 to 40 degrees above normal in recent months. Record-breaking heat is expected, with afternoon highs regularly surpassing 110 degrees in the hottest zones. This heatwave follows a winter that barely felt like one in several South American countries. The warmth is not limited to South America, as other parts of the southern hemisphere, including Africa and Australia, have also experienced exceptional heat. September is on track to be the hottest on record globally, with the El Niño likely to contribute to amplified warming through 2024.