Inter-annual and seasonal variations in the structure and energetics of the atmosphere over northeast Brazil

Abstract

Inter-annual and seasonal variations of energetics over northeast Brazil are discussed. A cylindrical boundary having 11 aerological stations has been chosen for the study. Mass and energy fluxes are evaluated for the dry and wet seasons and also for the dry and wet years. During the wet period, there is inward mass flux in the lower levels and outward mass flux in the upper levels. During the dry period there is inward mass flux in the middle levels with outward mass flux above and below.

Variations in the vertical profiles of the energy parameters suggest that the rainfall variations in the NE Brazil are not of local origin but are connected to the variations of the general circulation in the tropics.

Water vapor flux calculations showed that during the wet period there is a net import of water vapor and during the dry period a net export.