METHODS OF THORNTWAITE AND KÖPPEN CLIMATE CLASSIFICATIONS FOR RECIFE - PE, BRAZIL

Abstract

The climatic and hydrological fluctuations of certain region are the basic parameters in the evaluation of the water resources of this area. The objective of this study is to carry out the Thornthwaite & Mather and Köppen climate classification methods for Recife - PE, Brazil to assist in the development of agricultural projects and planning, as well as to contribute to the rational use of state land by generating information that is very important for rationalization of its various productive activities and agricultural policies. It was used the monthly average values ​​of precipitation and air temperature acquired from the weather station database belonging to the National Institute of Meteorology, corresponding to the period from 1962 to 2018, totaling 56 years of observed data, in order to generate information for government decision makers. Evapotranspiration power was 23.5% below the recorded rainfall, while precipitation was greater than 60.5% evaporation. Water deficiencies occur between April and July and total 727.6 mm, water surpluses are recorded between October and February in the data series studied. According to the Köppen classification, the climate of Recife is of the type Am (monsoon climate), according to the Thornthwaite classification for the municipality. Recife is characterized as moderately excessive megathermic, with little or no water deficiency (wrA'a ').