The intense heat experienced throughout much of the year is one of the hallmarks of Foz do Iguaçu, especially in the summer months. As a result, air conditioning is no longer a luxury item and has become essential, as is hydration.
READ TOO: Foz do Iguaçu had its 4th hottest January in 16 years
As reported here, 2025 saw the fourth warmest January in 16 years, according to data collected by H2FOZ to National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet). In two years, the average temperature in January has increased by 1,6°C, rising from 25,3°C in 2023 to the current 26,9°C.
If you travel just a few kilometers outside of Foz, you will find a milder climate. One example is Cascavel, which usually has lower temperatures compared to the Land of the Falls. Moacir Schmengler, who has a master's and doctorate in Meteorology, explains that this difference occurs due to the variation in altitude between the two cities. He works as an environmental analyst at the Territorial Intelligence Center (NIT), a partnership between Itaipu Parquetec and Itaipu Binacional.
“In the troposphere, which is the layer of the atmosphere closest to the ground, the temperature decreases with height. Despite being close to each other, Foz do Iguaçu has an altitude that is approximately 500 to 600 meters lower, on average, than Cascavel. Considering only the influence of altitude and disregarding other physical and geographic factors, this could represent an average difference of 3°C to 5°C.”
Furthermore, he explains that urban expansion, with more buildings and concrete and fewer green areas, reduces wind circulation and increases the sensation of heat.
Too early to predict 2025 in Foz do Iguaçu
According to the environmental analyst, the trend for 2025 is for a warmer year, if we consider the average for the whole year, which is still a reflection of the climate change scenario. However, he points out that, “without the influence of an El Niño episode – which tends to intensify temperatures in some regions of Brazil – it is likely that the warming will not be as extreme as in 2024. However, it is still too early to say with certainty whether the winter, especially in Foz do Iguaçu, will be harsh or not”.
Historical temperature records
In the 16 years of Inmet measurements, the maximum temperature recorded in Foz do Iguaçu was on January 23, 2022, at 16 pm: 40°C. On February 8, 2014, at 15 pm, the thermometers marked the same 40°C.
