The objective of this study was to associate the interannual variability of Pan evaporation and air relative humidity with the El Niño Southern Oscilation (ENSO) phenomenon in Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Daily data records of Pan evaporation (PAN, mm day-1) and mean daily relative humidity (RH, %) measured in Santa Maria, RS, were used. PAN was measured from 1973 to 2006 and RH was measured from 1969 to 2006. Years were grouped into El Niño (EN) years, La Niña (LN) years, and Neutral (N) years, from July 1st of the year to June 30th of the following year. Results showed that PAN is lower in EN years and greater in LN years. On the other hand, RH was greater in EN years and lower in LN years. The effect of ENSO on PAN is greater in November, December, January, and May, whereas RH is affected by ENSO in October, November, December and May.
La Niña; water vapor; climate variability; climate risk; agriculture
