Abstract
In this work a climatology of Heavy Rainfall Events (HREs) is elaborated for the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro (MRJ), based on Alerta Rio´s rain gauge network for the period 1997-2016. An objective criterion for the identification of HREs is assessed by comparing rainfall data with data disaster caused by such events over the city. The criterion establishes that an HRE is characterized by a daily rainfall equal or above its 95th percentile, occurring on the same day at least one rainfall record in 15 minutes, also equal or above its 95th percentile. In addition, the precipitation climatology in the MRJ is revisited. The results show that 33% of annual mean precipitation in MRJ (1192 mm) falls during 6.6 HREs. The maximum (minimum) of HREs are observed in Sumaré and Mendanha (in Tijuca and Saúde), on average of 30 days per year. In general, HREs occur more frequently in the summer (43.7%), followed by autumn (30.9%), spring (18.2%) and winter (7.2%). In general, there is a tendency for an increase in the number of HREs during the analyzed period.
Keywords:
flash flood; disorder; criterion; percentiles; precipitation; classification
