Frontal influences on northeast Brazil.

Abstract

Surface observations for the 10-year period 1961-70 are analyzed for occurrences of fronts in Northeast Brazil. Cold fronts, or their remains, are found to enter the Northeast throughout the year. The southern part of the region (interior Bahia) receives much of its precipitation in the period November-February associated with frontal systems. Coastal areas, which receive maximum rainfall during the months of May-July, experience a marked increase in rainfall associated with the approach and passage of cold fronts. Even precipitation events in the extreme northern part of the region (Cearea) sometimes appear to be associated with systems which are cold-frontal in origin.- from Author