Drought Assessment in São Francisco River Basin, Brazil: Characterization through SPI and Associated Anomalous Climate Patterns

The São Francisco River Basin (SFRB) is one of the main watersheds in Brazil, standing out for generating energy and consumption, among other ecosystem services. Hence, it is important to identify hydrological drought events and the anomalous climate patterns associated with dry conditions. The Stan...

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Main Authors: Aline A. Freitas, Anita Drumond, Vanessa S. B. Carvalho, Michelle S. Reboita, Benedito C. Silva, Cintia B. Uvo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-12-01
Series:Atmosphere
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/1/41
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author Aline A. Freitas
Anita Drumond
Vanessa S. B. Carvalho
Michelle S. Reboita
Benedito C. Silva
Cintia B. Uvo
author_facet Aline A. Freitas
Anita Drumond
Vanessa S. B. Carvalho
Michelle S. Reboita
Benedito C. Silva
Cintia B. Uvo
author_sort Aline A. Freitas
collection DOAJ
description The São Francisco River Basin (SFRB) is one of the main watersheds in Brazil, standing out for generating energy and consumption, among other ecosystem services. Hence, it is important to identify hydrological drought events and the anomalous climate patterns associated with dry conditions. The Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) for 12 months was used to identify hydrological drought episodes over SFRB 1979 and 2020. For these episodes, the severity, duration, intensity, and peak were obtained, and SPI-1 was applied for the longest and most severe episode to identify months with wet and dry conditions within the rainy season (Nov–Mar). Anomalous atmospheric and oceanic patterns associated with this episode were also analyzed. The results revealed the longest and most severe hydrological drought episode over the basin occurred between 2012 and 2020. The episode over the Upper portion of the basin lasted 103 months. The results showed a deficit of monthly precipitation up to 250 mm in the southeast and northeast regions of the country during the anomalous dry months identified through SPI-1. The dry conditions observed during the rainy season of this episode were associated with an anomalous high-pressure system acting close to the coast of Southeast Brazil, hindering the formation of precipitating systems.
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spelling doaj.art-a352f3d636144c44ba045d83cccecb282023-11-23T12:56:12ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332021-12-011314110.3390/atmos13010041Drought Assessment in São Francisco River Basin, Brazil: Characterization through SPI and Associated Anomalous Climate PatternsAline A. Freitas0Anita Drumond1Vanessa S. B. Carvalho2Michelle S. Reboita3Benedito C. Silva4Cintia B. Uvo5Instituto de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de Itajubá, Itajubá 37500-903, BrazilInstituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, BrazilInstituto de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de Itajubá, Itajubá 37500-903, BrazilInstituto de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de Itajubá, Itajubá 37500-903, BrazilInstituto de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de Itajubá, Itajubá 37500-903, BrazilFinnish Environment Institute, Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790 Helsinki, FinlandThe São Francisco River Basin (SFRB) is one of the main watersheds in Brazil, standing out for generating energy and consumption, among other ecosystem services. Hence, it is important to identify hydrological drought events and the anomalous climate patterns associated with dry conditions. The Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) for 12 months was used to identify hydrological drought episodes over SFRB 1979 and 2020. For these episodes, the severity, duration, intensity, and peak were obtained, and SPI-1 was applied for the longest and most severe episode to identify months with wet and dry conditions within the rainy season (Nov–Mar). Anomalous atmospheric and oceanic patterns associated with this episode were also analyzed. The results revealed the longest and most severe hydrological drought episode over the basin occurred between 2012 and 2020. The episode over the Upper portion of the basin lasted 103 months. The results showed a deficit of monthly precipitation up to 250 mm in the southeast and northeast regions of the country during the anomalous dry months identified through SPI-1. The dry conditions observed during the rainy season of this episode were associated with an anomalous high-pressure system acting close to the coast of Southeast Brazil, hindering the formation of precipitating systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/1/41SPIdroughtSão Francisco River Basin
spellingShingle Aline A. Freitas
Anita Drumond
Vanessa S. B. Carvalho
Michelle S. Reboita
Benedito C. Silva
Cintia B. Uvo
Drought Assessment in São Francisco River Basin, Brazil: Characterization through SPI and Associated Anomalous Climate Patterns
Atmosphere
SPI
drought
São Francisco River Basin
title Drought Assessment in São Francisco River Basin, Brazil: Characterization through SPI and Associated Anomalous Climate Patterns
title_full Drought Assessment in São Francisco River Basin, Brazil: Characterization through SPI and Associated Anomalous Climate Patterns
title_fullStr Drought Assessment in São Francisco River Basin, Brazil: Characterization through SPI and Associated Anomalous Climate Patterns
title_full_unstemmed Drought Assessment in São Francisco River Basin, Brazil: Characterization through SPI and Associated Anomalous Climate Patterns
title_short Drought Assessment in São Francisco River Basin, Brazil: Characterization through SPI and Associated Anomalous Climate Patterns
title_sort drought assessment in sao francisco river basin brazil characterization through spi and associated anomalous climate patterns
topic SPI
drought
São Francisco River Basin
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/1/41
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