Warning: Dry air will predominate in Brazil in the coming days and will be harmful to health.

This Wednesday (9), the Federal District and 15 Brazilian states recorded humidity levels equal to or below 30%. According to information from Climatempo, the air should remain very dry at least until the end of the first half of July, and could reach less than 20% humidity in some regions.

The passage of a strong cold wave through south-central Brazil caused a sharp drop in temperature and also helped to reduce humidity levels in the air . On Wednesday (9), the National Institute of Meteorology recorded 17% in Montes Claros (MG), 19% in Sete Lagoas (MG), in Goiás (GO) and in São José do Rio Claro (MT).

Among the capitals, the driest on Wednesday were Cuiabá, where the level dropped to 21%, Brasília with a minimum humidity of 30%, Campo Grande with 31% and Belo Horizonte, where relative humidity reached 33% in the Pampulha region.

Forecast for the next few days

According to information from Climatempo, humidity levels between 21% and 30% are expected to return to several areas in the south of the North region, the interior of the Northeast, practically the entire Center-West of the country and also in parts of Minas Gerais and São Paulo.

Some inland areas of southern Brazil are expected to experience humidity levels approaching 30%. Some areas in the Central-West, inland Northeast, Southeast, and even the North could experience humidity levels slightly below 20%.

Much of the Brazilian population will continue to experience very dry air at least until the end of the first half of July. Rain is only expected in areas near the sea and in the far north of the country.

Relative humidity levels between 21% and 30% indicate a low humidity warning. Levels between 11% and 20% are even more critical and indicate a very dry air alert.

Dry air and health

According to the World Health Organization, a healthy environment should have a relative humidity level of around 60%. Both excess and lack of humidity in the air are harmful to health.

When humidity levels are too low, typically less than 50%, the air we breathe is too dry. This lack of moisture dries out the mucous membranes of the upper airways.

Dry mucous membranes become more sensitive, which facilitates the development of micro-wounds. Wounded areas are more susceptible to the penetration of viruses and bacteria, which can lead to infections of varying severity.