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El Niño is officially underway and will continue to influence the weather patterns across South America into the autumn, including rainy spells from Peru though Brazil.

Severe drought will grow worse from Colombia through Venezuela and French Guiana as the El Niño-fueled rain stays to the south.

Rain to frequent Peru to Brazil, northern Argentina

Wet weather will be common for many areas of South America located south of the equator this autumn with heavier downpours bringing the risk of flash floods.

“Weak El Niño conditions should result in several opportunities for rainfall across Ecuador and Peru into the Amazon Basin of Brazil with rainfall expected to average near to above normal,” AccuWeather International Forecasting Manager Jason Nicholls said.

Rain is also in the offing for many areas from the north coast of Brazil through northern Argentina.

However, the ample rainfall early in the season will fade across central and northeastern Brazil by April and March. The earlier in the autumn that the rain retreats, the higher the chance for drought conditions to develop.

Severe drought to worsen in Colombia, Venezuela 

While El Niño helps to fuel flooding downpours across Ecuador and Peru, it will leave areas farther north deprived of rain.

“Conversely, drought conditions will persist across portions of Colombia and Venezuela to French Guiana,” Nicholls said.

Drought conditions are expected to grow worse before rain returns and brings some relief to the drought-stricken regions of South America.

Summer heat to persist into autumn across Chile, Argentina

Sizzling summer heat may carry over into the start of autumn for parts of Chile and Argentina before temperatures drop later in the season.

Nicholls anticipates warm and dry conditions to dominate northern Chile into Argentina during March and April with the risk of heatwaves.

“There can be improved rainfall chances across central Chile, including Santiago, later in April and May,” Nicholls said.

However, the season as a whole is likely to end drier than normal for this region.

Meanwhile, areas to the south can expect wetter weather as storms begin to track in from the Pacific Ocean.