Lagrangian analysis of moisture transport anomalies associated with drought events in Sao Paulo

• Grant number: 20/15310-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2021
• End date: December 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Meteorology
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Felippe Gozzo
• Grantee: Melissa Lopes Fagundes Santos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Moisture transport by the atmospheric circulation plays a role in hydroclimatic events such as droughts. The aim of this project is to study the anomalies in this transport toward the state of Sao Paulo (Brazil) during drought events described by the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration index (SPEI), from 1979 to 2018. A comparison between moisture transport anomalies toward the eastern and central-western portions of the state will be assessed in order to determine possible reasons for differences in drought climatology. The Lagrangian model Flexpart will be used to identify changes in the trajectory of moist air masses during the events. Results will be analyzed through discussions of climate patterns that are known to be present over South America.