Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: EDUARDO ALMEIDA DA SILVA

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : EDUARDO ALMEIDA DA SILVA
DATE: 28/08/2025
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: Remoto (google-meet)
TITLE:

Characterization of Cloud Microphysical Properties in Brazil

KEY WORDS:

Precipitation; ERA5 dataset; Clouds

PAGES: 50
BIG AREA: Ciências Exatas e da Terra
AREA: Geociências
SUBÁREA: Meteorologia
SPECIALTY: Meteorologia Física
SUMMARY:

Understanding cloud microphysical processes is essential for advancing knowledge of precipitation formation and the occurrence of extreme events, especially in tropical countries such as Brazil. Therefore, this study investigates the spatiotemporal variability over Brazil of the following cloud microphysical variables: Total Column Cloud Ice Water (TCCIW, kg m⁻²), Total Column Cloud Liquid Water (TCCLW, kg m⁻²), Cloud Base Height (CBH, m), and Convective Precipitation (CP, mm h⁻¹). Given the lack of continuous observational data covering the entire Brazilian territory, the use of reanalysis products—particularly ERA5—emerges as a robust alternative, allowing for a more detailed representation of these variables. In this research, an initial spatial and temporal analysis of CP and cloud microphysical properties was conducted for the entire Brazilian territory, on a seasonal basis (DJF, MAM, JJA, and SON), and stratified by the country’s five regions (North, Northeast, Central-West, Southeast, and South). Preliminary results indicated that DJF and MAM exhibited the highest CP values, notably over the North and Central-West regions. Such patterns are consistent with previous studies linking them to the activity of the South Atlantic Convergence Zone (SACZ), the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), and the passage of cold fronts. The microphysical variables displayed strong agreement with these precipitation regimes, with elevated TCCIW and TCCLW values observed during the rainiest seasons, particularly over the Amazon. Regarding CBH, a significant seasonal variation was identified, with the lowest values during summer, indicating greater atmospheric instability and higher moisture content compared to other seasons. The next stage of this research will apply cluster analysis to identify similar spatial patterns of the microphysical properties, in addition to examining the diurnal cycle of precipitation, its relationship with extreme events, and detecting temporal trends over a 17-year dataset using the Mann–Kendall statistical test and Sen’s slope estimator. Finally, a conceptual model of the vertical structure of clouds over Brazil will be proposed. The expected results aim to contribute to the understanding of convective regimes and support operational applications such as weather forecasting, aviation safety, agriculture, and weather modeling.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - ***.072.934-** - WEBER ANDRADE GONCALVES - UFCG
Interno - 1280761 - CRISTIANO PRESTRELO DE OLIVEIRA
Interna - ***.212.764-** - DANIELE TÔRRES RODRIGUES - UFPI
Interno - 1858120 - DAVID MENDES
Externa à Instituição - CLÊNIA RODRIGUES ALCÂNTARA - UFCG