The 2026 South American tornado season is the current season of tornadoes and tornado outbreaks across South America in 2026. As of October, there have been approximately 98 confirmed tornadoes across Brazil & South America according to PREVOTS, with one fatality and eighteen injuries. </onlyinclude> Note: Ten tornadoes have been confirmed but are not yet rated. Note: Some tornadoes may be rated using different scales. They are counted as their closest F-Scale equivalent on this table.

Note that most tornadoes in South America are rated using the Fujita scale due to simplicity of application and the lack of relying in a single build code like the EF-scale which is more focused on the american build code, involving frame houses, mobile homes, and many more. Although, some tornadoes are unofficially or independently rated with the Enhanced Fujita scale using specific damage indicators, however, most damage indicators doesn't apply to building codes used in South America, PREVOTS stated multiple times an urge to adapt the Enhanced Fujita scale to Brazil's standards. The only country to formally use the EF-scale is Chile, while others being used unofficially or being from independent analyses.

Climatology

Similar to North America or Europe, South America also experiences a few tornadoes per year, Brazil being one of the countries with the highest incidence of tornadoes outside the regions traditionally known for such phenomena. According to a survey by the State University of Ponta Grossa (UEPG), between 1975 and 2018, a total of 581 tornadoes were recorded in the country, 411 of which occurred in the Southern Region, accounting for approximately 70% of all cases. In 2018, the PREVOTS platform was established to document severe weather events across Brazil. Upon completing five years of operation, a report indicated that between June 2018 and June 2023, 321 damage incidents caused by tornadoes were recorded, including waterspouts. Most tornadoes in Brazil are associated with high-precipitation supercells, resulting in rain-wrapped tornadoes that are difficult to see. The annual average number of tornadoes in Brazil remains uncertain due to the country's less robust meteorological infrastructure compared to nations like the United States or Canada, and because of the low population density in the most tornado-prone areas. These factors contribute to underreporting, with many tornadoes being identified only months or even years after they occur. Recent estimates suggest a plausible average of 50 to 60 tornadoes per year, although this figure lacks official confirmation due to the aforementioned limitations.

January </onlyinclude> Note: Some tornadoes may be rated using different scales. They are counted as their closest F-Scale equivalent on this table.

January 1 + List of confirmed tornadoes - Thursday, January 1 2026F#LocationCountryStart coord.Time (UTC-3)Path length Max width FUCarmen del ParanáPY10:55A brief waterspout was documented by local residents crossing the Rio Paraná.F1Mercedes, ParanáBRA small tornado touched down at night on rural areas of Mercedes and caused minimal damages to structures before dissipating, rated as F1 by Simepar.

January 4

+ List of confirmed tornadoes - Sunday, January 4 2026F#LocationCountryStart coord.Time (UTC-3)Path length Max width FUParaty, Rio de JaneiroBRA short-lived waterspout was documented by residents in Paraty beach, before moving into the street nearby, dissipating shortly after. No damage was documented and the phenomenon only lasted two minutes.

January 9

+ List of confirmed tornadoes - Friday, January 9 2026F#LocationCountryStart coord.Time (UTC-3)Path length Max width FUCórdoba, La CumbrecitaARA rare tornado formed on the mountains of Córdoba province and continued moving through the mountains, dissipating moments later.

January 10

+ List of confirmed tornadoes - Saturday, January 10 2026F#LocationCountryStart coord.Time (UTC-3)Path length Max width F2São José dos Pinhais, ParanáBR~17:001 km<1 kmA tornado was documented by local residents and recorded on video, later being confirmed and rated as F2 by Simepar, affecting 350 homes and causing two injuries. Considered by Metsul as a rare occurrence, due to it affecting a city instead of a community.FUSão Francisco do Sul, Santa CatarinaBRLocal residents witnessed a waterspout, no damage was reported, confirmed by MetSul Meteorologia.

January 12 + List of confirmed tornadoes - Monday, January 12 2026F#LocationCountryStart coord.Time (UTC-3)Path length Max width FURio Preto, Santa CatarinaBRA brief tornado witnessed by local residents, no damage was reported, confirmed by MetSul Meteorologia.F0Felipe Schmidt, Canoinhas, Santa CatarinaBRThis brief tornado was captured in camera traversing through rural areas, no damage was reported, rated F0 and confirmed by PREVOTS and Civil Defense.

January 29

+ List of confirmed tornadoes - Thursday, January 29 2026F#LocationCountryStart coord.Time (UTC-3)Path length Max width FUPalmares do Sul, Rio Grande do SulBRA waterspout was documented and recorded by local residents in Solidão, Palmares do Sul. No damage was reported, confirmed by MetSul Meteorologia.EF0Camaquã, Rio Grande do SulBRAnother waterspout was documented and recorded by local residents in Camaquã. No damage was reported, rated EF0 by local news.FULagoa dos Patos, Rio Grande do SulBRA final waterspout was documented and recorded by local residents in Palmares do Sul, being confirmed in Lagoa dos Patos. No damage was reported, also confirmed by MetSul Meteorologia.

February </onlyinclude> Note: Two tornadoes have been confirmed but are not yet rated. Note: Some tornadoes may be rated using different scales. They are counted as their closest F-Scale equivalent on this table.

February 7

+ List of confirmed tornadoes - Saturday, January 7 2026F#LocationCountryStart coord.Time (UTC-3)Path length Max width F0Foz do Iguaçu, W of ParanáBRA short-lived tornado was captured in security camera of a home in Foz do Iguaçu, causing minor damages to the roof of a small house nearby without injuries reported, confirmed and rated as F0 by Simepar.

February 12 + List of confirmed tornadoes - Thursday, February 12 2026F#LocationCountryStart coord.Time (UTC-3)Path length Max width EF0Pelotas, Rio Grande do SulBR10:45A short-lived tornado was captured in video causing moderate damage to trees, cars and nearby houses. Rated EF0 by Federal University of Pelotas.

February 15

+ List of confirmed tornadoes - Monday, February 15 2026F#LocationCountryStart coord.Time (UTC-3)Path length Max width F?Encruzilhada do Sul, CanguçuBR18:35A tornado was captured in video on rural areas of Encruzadilha, the tornado destroyed at least one home and destroyed soybean crops.

February 23

+ List of confirmed tornadoes - Sunday, February 23 2026F#LocationCountryStart coord.Time (UTC-3)Path length Max width FUAconquija, Campo del PucaráARA tornado was documented and recorded by local residents in rural areas, no damage nor injuries were reported.

February 28 + List of confirmed tornadoes - Saturday, February 28 2026F#LocationCountryStart coord.Time (UTC-3)Path length Max width F?Jaburu, CearáBRA brief 'ghostly' tornado was captured by local residents in Ceará, causing minor damage to a greenhouse tissue and to protective screens.

May </onlyinclude> Note: One tornado has been confirmed but is not yet rated. Note: Some tornadoes may be rated using different scales. They are counted as their closest F-Scale equivalent on this table.

May 6 + List of confirmed tornadoes - Thursday, May 6 2026F#LocationCountryStart coord.Time (UTC-3)Path length Max width IF3Las FloresARA wedge tornado was captured by local residents traversing into rural areas of Las Flores, causing significant damage in the Harosteguy region, where a masonry house was completely destroyed, resulting in four injuries. Hardwood trees were severely debarked and a combine harvester was overturned. Rated E/F2 by local news, however, SAMHI (South American Meteorological Hazards and their Impacts Database) technical study rated the event as an IF3 on the International Fujita scale.

May 22 + List of confirmed tornadoes - Friday, May 22 2026F#LocationCountryStart coord.Time (UTC-3)Path length Max width F?São Luís, MaranhãoBR14:50A funnel cloud formed in São Luís and traversed through São Cristóvão and Tirirical neighborhood, unroofing homes and businesses and causing minor damage to houses and tents.

June </onlyinclude> June 28 + List of confirmed tornadoes - Sunday, June 28 2026F#LocationCountryStart coord.Time (UTC-3)Path length Max width F2Reserva, ParanáBRA significant tornado was produced in the early hours of the morning, damaging 11 homes, being rated an F2 by Simepar. Araucaria trees were either snapped, uprooted or lost their treetops. A signpost was thrown .F1Nova Cantu, ParanáBRThis second tornado was confirmed by Simepar and rated an F1.

June 30 + List of confirmed tornadoes - Tuesday, June 30 2026F#LocationCountryStart coord.Time (UTC-3)Path length Max width F1Inácio Martins, ParanáBR20:00-21:00Trees were found downed. It was recorded by residents while traversed through rural areas. Rated F1 by Simepar.F1Laranjeiras do Sul, ParanáBRRated F1 and confirmed by Simepar.F1Turvo, ParanáBRAnother tornado formed in the same day, this tornado was also filmed while touching the ground. Also rated F1 by Simepar.FUInácio Martins, Cruz Machado, ParanáBRAnother tornado was also confirmed in Inácio Martins by Simepar, no damage was reported, resulting in no rating.

July </onlyinclude> One tornado has been confirmed but not yet rated. Note: Some tornadoes may be rated using different scales. They are counted as their closest F-Scale equivalent on this table.

July 27 + List of confirmed tornadoes - Monday, July 27 2026F#LocationCountryStart coord.Time (UTC-3)Path length Max width EF1Llollinco, Chillan Viejo, ÑubleCL14:00This tornado was caught in camera by multiple residents, the tornado damaged homes, caused power outages, and also trees were knocked down, two people were injured. Rated EF1 by multiple sources.

July 28 + List of confirmed tornadoes - Tuesday, July 28 2026F#LocationCountryStart coord.Time (UTC-3)Path length Max width F3+Giruá, Senador Salgado Filho, Sete de SetembroBR18:30This wedge tornado was captured in camera by multiple residents, 18 houses were damaged or destroyed and seven people were hospitalized. The tornado was also followed by hailstorms. The tornado was preliminarily rated high-end F3 by MetSul Meteorologia and PREVOTS, with an upgrade to F4 noted as possible.

July 31 + List of confirmed tornadoes - Friday, July 31 2026F#LocationCountryStart coord.Time (UTC-3)Path length Max width F?Bernardo de Irigoyen, Santa FeARThis stovepipe tracked through rural areas and damaged a dairy farm nearby, also a woman was also injured as a result of this tornado.

August </onlyinclude> Two tornadoes have been confirmed but not yet rated.

August 6 + List of confirmed tornadoes - Thursday, August 6 2026F#LocationCountryStart coord.Time (UTC-3)Path length Max width F3Pedro Osório, Rio Grande do SulBR~18:00~This rare multi-vortex tornado caused significant damage to rural areas of Pedro Osório, causing damage to houses and warehouses. Large eucalyptus trees were uprooted and suffered severe damage. No one was injured or killed. This tornado was preliminarily rated F2 by MetSul based on visible damage, and F3 by PREVOTS based on structural and vegetation damage, also the Monte Carlos simulation was used.

August 8