The climates of Rio Grande do Sul: a climate classification proposal

Abstract

This paper presents the climatic classification developed for the Rio Grande do Sul, as a result of the thesis “The climate of Rio Grande do Sul: variability, trends and typology”. The climate classification method contemplated both qualitative and quantitative analyses based on genetic and dynamic climatology, in association with statistical analysis. Regarding climate typology, the state of Rio Grande do Sul is located in a subtropical climate area, subdivided into four main types: Subtropical I - Little humid (divided in Subtropical Ia - Little humid with cold winter and cool summer and Subtropical Ib - Little humid with cold winter and hot summer); Subtropical II - Medium humid with longitudinal variation of average temperatures; Subtropical III - Humid with longitudinal variation of average temperatures; and Subtropical IV - Very Humid (divided in Subtropical IVa - Very humid with cool winter and hot summer and Subtropical IVb - Very humid with cold winter and cool summer). The state of Rio Grande do Sul has climatically different regions showing a certain heterogeneity, unlike most of the best-known climate classifications of the state.

Keywords

• climatologia. variabilidade. tendências. tipologia. rio grande do sul.