Climatology and Applied Meteorology
Core concepts
Understand climate classification, global circulation, and the role of the ITCZ, subtropical highs, and mid-latitude westerlies. Study the climate of Brazil: equatorial, tropical, semi-arid, and subtropical zones, and the influence of the South Atlantic Convergence Zone and El Niño/Southern Oscillation. Learn about climate change and its signals. Applied topics include agro-meteorology, hydrology, and air quality.
Traps
Questions often confuse weather with climate. Be careful with the direction of ENSO effects on Brazilian rainfall. Do not assume that the ITCZ is stationary; it migrates seasonally.
Worked example
During El Niño, the ITCZ tends to shift, and northeastern Brazil often experiences drought while southern Brazil may receive above-average rainfall. This pattern is a key applied-climatology fact for aviation and agriculture.