Daily precipitation data from 123 locations of the State of Minas Gerais were analyzed to characterize the beginning of the rainy season (IPC), the amount of rainfall during the rainy season (PC) and the occurrence and length of the dry spell in years associated to El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The relationship between the duration of rainy season (DPC), begining of the rainy period and the dry spells from three to six days (A); from seven to ten days (B) and the IPC with the rainfall during the rainy periods with dry spells (A) and (B) were also studied. The results showed that ENSO is related to rainfall below historical average in the northeastern region of the State of Minas Gerais, and to rainfalls above the climatic average in the southwestern region. The duration of the dry spells in the northern and northeastern region of the state were higher than 15 days, and the rainfall above normal in the southwestern part of the state were better correlated to dry spells of three to six days.
precipitation; rainy season; Pacific ocean
