The aim of this work was to verify temporal and spatial variability of the size sample of the monthly average of air minimum temperature, in 37 localities of the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The minimum temperature data were collected from 1931 to 2000. It was calculated the sample size, in each month and locality. Localities and months were clustered by the complete linkage method. There are variability temporal and spatial of the size sample (number of years) of the monthly average of air minimum temperature in the Rio Grande do Sul State. Greater sample size occur in the months of May, June and July, with gradual reduction up to January and December. There are variability in the size sample among locaties in the Rio Grande do Sul State.
statistical analysis; sample size; air minimum temperature; Southern Brazil
