In the last week the South American Convergence Zone (SACZ) has caused heavy rains and severe floods in Southeastern Brazil's states Minas Gerais, Espirito Santo and Rio de Janeiro. NOAA's Hydrological Prediction Center (HPC) is forecasting an intensification of the SACZ in the next days over that area. Flooding and mudslides from days of heavy rain in southeastern Brazil has forced thousands to flee their homes.

Rainfall estimates from the TRMM-based, near-real time Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center are shown above for the week from 30 December 2011 to 6 January 2012. This analysis indicates that over 280 mm (~11 inches) have already fallen in an area of Brazil northeast of Rio De Janeiro.