Estudo do ciclo diário do vento à superfície no Nordeste do Brasil.

Abstract

Hourly surface wind data obscrvcd at 77 stations during a 5-ycar period (1977-1981) wcrc used to study the surfacc-wind daily cyclc in Northeast Brazil. Variability patterns were identified by applying multivariate analysis techniques (Principal Componcnt Analysis and Cluster Analysis) to the zonal and meridional wind components, in conjunction. Anual mcan hourly surface wind ficlds oblained at 3-hour intervals rcsulled in the following main findings; (i) wind inlensification (weakcning) during the diurnal (nocturnal) period due to interaction between the large scale flow and the sea (land) brecze, (ii) inland penetration of the sea breeze in northern Northeast Brazil states and its interaction with local circulations generated in complex orography áreas, and (iii) well defined convergence in the Ceará-Paraíba-Pernambuco border, in the period 21-24 HL (local time). Factorial analysis by means of principal components shows that the first six principal factor loadings cxplain 97% of the total varianec, allowing to identify patterns and processes associated with the observed daily variability. The spatial patterns of the first four factor loadings, which account for 89.9% of the total variance, show centers located on the coast and in complex orography áreas such as the mid-valley of the São Francisco River and the northern arca of the Chapada Diamantina. Surface wind regionalization on the first six factor loadings by means of cluster analysis based on the Ward's method reveals the existence of six homogeneous groups in accordance with the complex physiography of Northeast Brazil.