Pluviometry in the Serra da Caraça region and its influence on the Iron Quadrangle region, in the state of Mina Gerais, Brazil¹

La pluviometría de la región de la Sierra del Caraça y la influencia en el Cuadrilátero de Hierro, Minas Gerais

Abstract

The research focused on analyzing the pattern and distribution of rainfall in the Serra do Caraça, and the interaction with its surroundings - the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region - highlighting the function of the orography. Geographical Climatology and Spatial Analysis were used in order to develop the present investigation, with statistical techniques such as data interpretation tools, thus extracting the dynamics and climatic pattens. The results demonstrated that the mountain range, mainly on the eastern edge (Serra do Caraça), influences the dynamics of the general circulation and currents that bring disturbances in the winds (W/NW and S/SE). This contributes to precipitation, which may reach values greater than 2,500 mm. We found a variability in the distribution of rainfall within the Quadrilátero Ferrífero - N/E corners presents more substantial rainfall volumes than the W/S edges. Regarding the spatial and temporal variability: between 1984-92 the highest occurrences of rainfall were recorded; and in the years 1998-2003 and 2013-16, the lowest occurrences were recorded in the analyzed period.

Keywords:
Rainfall; Iron Quadrangle; Orography; Geographical Climatology