Geographical Climatology Research Articles

The origins of modern urban climate science: reflections on ‘A numerical model of the urban heat island’

Modern urban climatology is a part of boundary-layer climatology with a focus on the urban effects on the atmosphere. The best known of these effects is the urban heat island (UHI), which has been a subject of study for more than 200 years and may be categorised into air, surface and substrate types. Progress on this topic has occurred in various phases associated with theoretical developments, improvements in technology (instruments and computing) and study design, to isolate the causative drivers. The history of the field can be categorised into response-based (descriptive) and process-based (analytic) periods associated with hypothesis generation and testing, respectively. Myrup’s paper on simulating the UHI, published in 1969, is at the forefront of this shift in approach and is the first application of numerical modelling to the topic. Its computational methods place the UHI within the context of the surface energy budget and the exchanges of energy, urban characteristics, and the substrate as well as overlying air. The paper is a classic that had considerable impact on the approach that geographical climatology took to examining the UHI; however, it is not without its limitations Careful reading of Myrup's work provides insights into how the field has evolved in the last 50 years. In particular the recurring issues associated with conceputalising the urban thermal effect and challenge of comparing models results with field observations. Remarkably, key urban climate questions on how to cool cities, how to plan cities for future climate, and the factors that impact UHI are still being studied, albeit with more sophisticated models. A numerical model of the urban heat island is part of a rich literature on the UHI that illustrates the development of the urban climate science that deserves to be read and cited.

Trends of climate change at the mid-low Nazas-Aguanaval inland basin based on a geographical approach

An integrative geographical climatology is presented to objectively identify regional patterns of climate variability within the mid-low Nazas-Aguanaval basin within the States of Durango and Coahuila in Central Northern Mexico, using decadal mean values for maximum and minimum temperature, as well as monthly precipitation during the seven periods from 1951-2020. The historical data was acquired from 26 field meteorological stations and 44 grid points from the SWAT model. Furthermore, the data was categorized by means of geographical features of altitude, longitude and latitude in three groups each. A combination of meteorological vulnerability from all the categories for each sampling point was then estimated for each locality. From the overall analysis, western sites resulted as the most vulnerable to climatic changes, while eastern and central (latitude) displayed the lowest variability occurrence. By means of downscaling the meteorological variation, it is possible to improve the understanding of mechanisms relying on regional climate variability and climate change. This evaluation can be further incorporated to management strategies for different stakeholders in arid and semi-arid lands, particularly within the Chihuahuan Desert.

DESCRIPTION OF THE GEOGRAPHIC FACTORS AND ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION SYSTEMS ACTIVATING IN THE STATE OF PARÁ, BRAZIL

As an integral part of the doctoral research entitled: “Climate dynamics and rainfall in the stateof Pará, Brazil: proposal for a climate classification”, this work was developed, considering thetheoretical-methodological framework shaped by Geographical Climatology, particularly fromthe guidelines offered by Monteiro (1973), which propose an understanding of atmosphericdynamics in conjunction with surface attributes, which are the relief and its topography. Thus, itwas a matter of understanding such attributes competent to the state of Pará, with the premise thatin the future, in the final outcome of the research, employing the other steps concerning Monteiro'sproposal (1973). As results obtained, an interpretation of the elaborated thematic cartographicproduction is highlighted, aimed at representing the geomorphological and topographiccomponents, in association, still, with the atmospheric circulation systems operating in the stateof Pará

GÊNESE E EVOLUÇÃO DAS TEMPERATURAS MÍNIMAS ABSOLUTAS NA REGIÃO CENTRO-SUL DO PARANÁ: A INFLUÊNCIA DA DINÂMICA ATMOSFÉRICA E DO RELEVO LOCAL

This study analyzed the frequency and intensity of absolute minimum temperatures associated with atmospheric systems in the Central Southern Paraná State. It was selected the municipalities of Guarapuava, Palmas, and Irati to represent the area, both considering the location and the available database. Daily temperature data provided by Agronomic Institute of Paraná (IAPAR) and National Meteorological Institute (INMET) and satellite imagery provided by Technological Institute of Paraná (SIMEPAR) were analyzed in the winter seasons from 2004 to 2012. Data of temperature were tabulated in Microsoft Excel and satellite imagery was analyzed through videos produced in Windows Live™ Movie Maker®. The highest influence of polar air masses (mPa and mPp) was prevalent, but the continental tropical mass frequently affected the study period, by reducing the surface cooling for several days.Keywords: air masses, negative temperatures, geographical climatology.

A CLIMATOLOGIA GEOGRÁFICA NO BRASIL E NA ITÁLIA

In this article the author attempts to justify his interest in the topic of his research project developed at the University of Turin (Italy) and the reasons which led him to compare, in his study, the influences of Mario Pinna on Italian Geographical Climatology and of Carlos Augusto de Figueiredo Monteiro on Brazilian Geographical Climatology. Therefore, he exposes the guiding principles of this area of knowledge, highlighting the contributions of frenchmen Maximilien Sorre and Pierre Pédelaborde, which in particular, proposed new approaches to weather and climate studies and influenced the researches conducted, in this area, by geographers. Consequently, since them, the geographical studies of climate began to develope differently than those carried out by meteorologists and other researchers of climatology. The author, in addition to revealing the main results of his extensive bibliographic survey of Italian scientific books and journals, contrasts them to works produced in Brazil and, in his final considerations, ponders about the need to impart a genetic quality to the classification of Earth's climates.

The climatic rhythm and blooms of cyanobacteria in a tropical reservoir in São Paulo, Brazil.

The present study sought to develop a methodology to analyse water quality based on the concepts and methods of climate and climatology. Accordingly, we attempted to relate hydro- and limnometeorological techniques and methodologies to a rhythmic analysis technique developed within the context of the Brazilian geographical climatology. Our goal was to assess and analyse cyanobacterial blooms, the main index of water quality for the reservoirs of the "Alto Tietê" Basin and, consequently, the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, an area of high environmental complexity due to its high degree of development and high population density. The meteorological data used were collected by the Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of São Paulo meteorological station, and the limnological data were collected through the Hydrological Monitoring System implemented by SABESP in the Billings and Guarapiranga Reservoirs and the laboratory of the same entity. The rhythmic and integrated analysis showed that the process of cyanobacterial blooms is dependent on a combination of meteorological factors as temperature and wind intensity that may disrupt the stability of the reservoir, providing the conditions necessary for the development of cyanobacteria during the stabilisation process. The pace of the Atlantic Polar Front Entrance during the winter in São Paulo is a limiting factor for the growth of cyanobacteria because of their high frequency, thus maintaining the balance of the reservoir throughout this period. The weather types those could cause a instability in the water column were: Cold Front entrance (66.67%), conflict between masses (22.22%) and the Tropical Instability Line (11.11%). The possibility for prevention and forecasting periods advise when these reservoirs should not be used, mainly with regard to recreational activities.

Applied climatology

Applied climatology has long been a niche domain, straddling the intersection between the social and natural sciences and populated largely by geographers explicitly interested in reframing human activities around climate. As human-atmospheric relations become increasingly embedded within institutions of governance, new narratives of and for applied climatology are emerging to champion particular atmospheric objects, orientations, practices and institutions into positions of policy relevance and investment priority. This paper attempts to understand these intersecting politics of ‘climate and society’ research by situating their emergence through three lenses of inquiry. First, we explore the historical disciplinary work of ‘application’ in geographical climatology, paying particular attention to how ‘relevance’ has been understood and practised. Second, we reassemble a missed disciplinary conversation about ideology in applied geography, and link this to definitions and rationales for applied climatology. Third, we explore five recent thematic engagements in applied climatology, to generate thinking about the institutions and practices of assembling climate in new circles of ‘application’, policy and elsewhere. The ‘applications’ that climatologists choose to pursue – and the ways in which they pursue them – are deeply political questions that reproduce decision-making logics, funding rationalities, notions of expertise and problem framings. In conclusion, we argue that, rather than understanding ‘climate’ and ‘society’ as stable entities with standard (e.g. quantitative) practices or modes of association, we might instead concern ourselves with the practices of assembling human-atmospheric relations.

Clima e condições meteorológicas da sub-bacia hidrográfica do rio Cotinguiba-SE

The scientific research within the geographical climatology scope shows that, from ancient times, the climate is an important determinant in the shaping of landscape, reflecting on the population distribution, as well as on their productive activities. Among the factors of the physical system, the climate is crucial, because it plays a major role, influencing all the elements of an environmental system. It is the climate which governs the process of input and output of energy within a watershed. In this context, this study aimed to analyze the climatic and meteorological conditions of the Sub-basin of the Cotinguiba river, from the following variables: temperature, precipitation and evapotranspiration in a series of 40 years (1970-2011). Such a study area has a land area of approximately 232.5 km 2 , considered a medium sized and is made by the municipalities of Areia Branca, Laranjeiras, Nossa Senhora do Socorro and Riachuelo in the State of Sergipe. To achieve the proposed objectives, different methodological procedures were used, such as: literature review, secondary data research and mapping collection. In the sub-basin of the Cotinguiba river, the sub-humid climate is predominant, with monthly temperatures ranging between 21.4° and 25.2°C, presenting a small annual temperature range. The rainfall is well distributed throughout the year, and in the wettest months (April, May, June, July and August), the rainfall varies from 205.9 mm to 121.9 mm. During the driest months (December and January), the rate of precipitation usually reaches 40.6mm. Those rainfalls occur due to the interaction of air warm and cold (frontal precipitation) masses that happen most frequently during autumn-winter, often causing floods in the municipalities that comprise the sub-basin, mainly in Laranjeiras city. In the general context of the sub-basin, the referred municipalities present less variable annual rainfall behavior.

A dinâmica climática do Mato Grosso do Sul e as queimadas do ano de 2009: uma análise têmporo-espacial a partir das imagens do NOAA-15

Nessa pesquisa objetiva-se fazer uma análise da distribuição e da ocorrência de queimadas no Mato Grosso do Sul e sua relação com os elementos do clima e do tempo através do uso de imagens do satélite NOAA-15. As bases conceituais em Climatologia Geográfica permitem elaborar metodologias apoiadas nos estudos da Geografia, cuja importância estabelece os métodos e as técnicas usados na análise a partir dos dados coletados. Deste modo, utilizando-se os dados coletados e a metodologia constituída para análise, utilizou-se de escalas correspondentes às escalas mensais e sazonais, facilitando assim o entendimento do processo das queimadas com a dinâmica climática do Mato Grosso do Sul, no referido ano de 2009. Palavras-chave: Climatologia Geográfica; queimadas; Mato Grosso do Sul. ABSTRACT In this research the objective is to analyze the distribution and occurrence of burned in Mato Grosso do Sul and its relationship with the elements of weather and climate through the use of satellite images from NOAA-15. The conceptual bases in Geographical Climatology allow develop methodologies supported in studies of geography, the importance of which establishes the methods and techniques used in the analysis from the dados collected. Thus, using the data and the methodology established for analysis, we used scales corresponding to the monthly and seasonal scales, thus facilitating the understanding of the process of burning the dynamic climate of Mato Grosso do Sul, in that year of 2009. Keywords: Geographical Climatology; burned; Mato Grosso do Sul. RESUMEN El objetivo de la investigación es analizar la distribución y ocurrencia de incendios en Mato Grosso do Sul y su relación con los elementos de tiempo y el clima a través del uso de imágenes de satélite NOAA-15. Las bases conceptuales de la climatología geográfica permite desarrollar metodologías de apoyo en los estudios de la geografia, lo que establece la importancia de los métodos y técnicas utilizados en el análisis de los datos recogidos. Así, utilizando los datos recogidos para el análisis y estableció la metodología, se utilizaron las escalas correspondientes a las escalas mensuales y estacionales, lo que facilita la comprensión del proceso de la quema de un clima dinámico de Mato Grosso do Sul, en ese año de 2009. Palabras clave: Climatología Geográfica; quemada; Mato Grosso do Sul. DOI: 10.5654/actageo2012.0002.0014

The lost legacy of Robert DeCourcy Ward in American geographical climatology

As a charter member of the Association of American Geographers and a well-respected scholar in academic meteorology, Robert DeCourcy Ward was an important figure in the earth sciences tradition of early American academic geography. The purpose of this paper is twofold: (1) to elaborate on the contributions of Ward to modern geographical climatology; and (2) to examine some of his writing beyond scientific topics as likely cause for the lack of attention to his geographical work today. Ward’s work across a range of spatial scales from local thunderstorm events to sea breeze circulations to global climatic classification represented a ‘bridge’ between scholars in the meteorology and geography communities. His emphasis on the conceptual understanding of climate as a dynamic rather than static entity represented a paradigm shift for which he has not been credited. He was a true and early advocate for study of the relationship between people and the environment. A thorough review of Ward’s works suggests that his environmental deterministic philosophy and writings on topics outside of physical geography, particularly immigration reform and eugenics, may have contributed to his current obscurity as an important early practitioner of our discipline. We suggest that, in general, the lessons of history, both triumphant and tragic, should never be forgotten, and it is in this framework that we believe that Ward should be remembered.

A PARTICIPAÇÃO DOS SISTEMAS ATMOSFÉRICOS ATUANTES NA BACIA DO RIO PARANÁ NO PERÍODO 1980 A 2003

A climatologia geográfica pode contribuir com as ciências que buscam, no meiofísico, seus objetos de estudo, principalmente hoje, diante do quadro demudanças climáticas globais. Para a caracterização do clima da vertenteocidental do alto rio Paraná estudou-se a dinâmica climática no período de 1980a 2003. Através da análise rítmica e da dinâmica das massas de ar,determinaram-se os tempos médios das participações dos sistemas atmosféricosatuantes e as porcentagens das chuvas convectivas e frontais. Os resultadospermitiram estabelecer uma faixa limite para os dois tipos de chuva. Verificouseque nas localidades de menores latitudes, nos meses mais quentes, além depredominar a atuação dos sistemas de baixa pressão, predominam as chuvasconvectivas. À medida que aumenta a latitude, aumenta também a participaçãodos sistemas de alta pressão e das chuvas frontais. Verificou-se também que ossistemas de baixa pressão estão ampliando o tempo de atuação, assim como aschuvas convectivas.

A PESQUISA CLIMATOLÓGICA REALIZADA POR GEÓGRAFOS BRASILEIROS

Os estudos climatológicos, no âmbito da Geografia, vêm ganhando importância,principalmente, após o início da década de 1990, período no qual foi realizado o1º Simpósio Brasileiro de Climatologia Geográfica (SBCG), na UNESP–Rio Claro-SP (1992). As demais sedes do SBCG foram: Presidente Prudente-SP (1996),Salvador-BA (1998), Rio de Janeiro-RJ (2000), Curitiba-PR (2002), Aracajú-SE(2004), Rondonópolis-MT (2006) e Alto do Caparaó-MG (2008). Ao longo destes18 anos, tanto o evento, quanto o número de pesquisas apresentadas cresceude maneira consistente. Nesse sentido, o presente artigo, pretende identificar operfil dos estudos de climatologia na ciência geográfica brasileira, ao longo darealização dos SBCG, assim como, refletir sobre as perspectivas e os entravesdo desenvolvimento de novas vertentes de pesquisa até o momento desprezadopela comunidade geográfica que desenvolve estudos climatológicos. Para odesenvolvimento dessa pesquisa, utilizou–se o levantamento dos cadernos deresumo publicados nos eventos. A partir daí, os mesmos foram classificados deacordo com as categorias estipuladas: a) Campo térmico/conforto térmico; b)Qualidade do ar; c) Recurso hídrico/Secas/Impacto Pluvial; d) Estudosclimáticos Regionais e locais; e) Dinâmica da atmosfera; f) Clima e agricultura;g) Clima e ensino; h) Outros (Neve, Vento, Saúde, Desertificação).

PENSAR, FAZER CIÊNCIA E DESAFIOS DA PESQUISA EM CLIMATOLOGIA GEOGRÁFICA NO CENTRO-OESTE

The postulates Newtonian-Cartesian-mechanistic to fragment the world allowed the structuring and validation of the method, however, at the same time and paradoxically, led us to disregard what was richer, connections, interrelationships and interdependence between phenomena. In the Þ eld of climatology Geographic proposition rhythmic paradigm coincides with the emergence of theories, concepts and analytical techniques whose foundations are based on the contrast of the fragmentation of scientiÞ c analysis and the search for possibilities for understanding the climate and weather through their processes of interaction and interdependence. The fundamentals of the existing systems view Geographical Climatology make us believe that the understanding of climate change on many different scales can only be explained by studying the processes genesis of climate and weather, and in this context, the relationship between man and nature wins proportions in the analysis. The numerical values, mathematical, manifested as necessary to measure results, but they alone are not reality. The reality is present in the dynamics of this process and so increasing concern in the analysis of Geographical Climatology.

BASES CONCEITUAIS EM CLIMATOLOGIA GEOGRÁFICA

The climatology is founded on the Weather, who studies the atmosphere and its phenomena, and is concerned with the registration and measurement of the same, so that it can determine the physical conditions under which they were produced. Thus, the inevitable clash of Climatology and Meteorology geographers involves a discussion - about the use and application of each one of them - is due to start, essentially, the definitions of “time” and “climate”. This paper presents a discussion of the conceptual foundations of climatology and meteorology, relying on ways to approach each one in order to highlight methods that attend more to the purpose of calling Geographical Climatology.

La climatología geográfica en Brasil: de lo producido a lo enseñado

Este artículo presenta una propuesta de Geografía del Clima, que se contrapone a la noción de una Climatología Geográfica. Por lo tanto, volviendo a los inicios de la Climatología en Brasil, se ha buscado establecer las bases conceptuales de la incorporación del fenómeno climático en la ciencia geográfica. Se discute la revolución paradigmática iniciada por Max Sorre y la propuesta de Figueiredo Monteiro, que parte de la aceptación de la noción de ritmo como nuevo paradigma para el análisis geográfico del clima. También se apunta la conveniencia de desarrollar una nueva adecuación de los conceptos de apropiación de la naturaleza por una sociedad estructurada en clases sociales. En última instancia se propone una discusión en la que se valora la necesidad de una nueva razón para un nuevo conocimiento del fenómeno climático en la perspectiva social de la valoración de los recursos naturales.

La climatologie

The french geographical climatology grew considerably from 1970 to 1980. During the next decade it has become more varied, making good profit of new technical means. At the moment, the problem is whether it will succeed in defining its own field of investigation, as different from that of other neighbouring subject matters.

Potential Residential Solar Heating in the Southeast

Southeastern Geographer Vol. 21, No. 2, November 1981, pp. 117-129 POTENTIAL RESIDENTIAL SOLAR HEATING IN THE SOUTHEAST Philip W. Suckling Increasing interest in alternative energy sources such as direct solar energy conversion raises questions regarding the actual potential for meeting energy demand by such methods. Direct conversion of solar energy can be utilized for a variety ofpurposes, notably residential space and hot water heating and, where appropriate, space cooling. The potential magnitude ofthe solar energy contribution depends on numerous factors involving climatic, economic, and engineering problems among others. One of the important roles of geographical climatology in the solar energy field is the climate-effect study of solar radiation income and solar-home feasibility. (J) This study will assess the potential for residential solar use from a climatological viewpoint. Long-term mean data will be studied generating a general assessment which may be of use for overall energy planning . Certain house and solar collection system characteristics will be assumed and held constant in order to allow an evaluation of the geographical distribution of the potential for solar energy use in the southeastern United States. Only space and hot water heating demand will be considered. CALCULATION OFENERGY DEMAND. The analysis requires consideration of a residential dwelling with certain assumed characteristics. The house is a three-bedroom, one-story single-family dwelling with a floor space area of 150 m2 (1,615 ft2). Two conventional construction designs from an energy viewpoint are considered. House design #1 is assumed to have a building heat-loss characteristic (HLC) of 234 kj m~2 (0C day)"1 or approximately 11.5 BTU ft-2 (°F day)-1. This is similar to the Colorado State University experimental solar house and represents a home with about 9 cm (3.5") of fiberglass insulation in the walls and 14 cm (5.5") in the ceiling as well as thermopane glass in all windows. Dr. Suckling is Assistant Professor ofGeography at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA 30602. 118Southeastern Geographer (2) Such features are common in modern conventional new house construction in the southeast. House design #2 is assumed to be a more energy efficient home built to the 1975 standards of the Housing and Urban Development Association of Canada. Such a house would have a HLC of about 180 kj irr2 (0C day)1 or 8.8 BTU ft"2 (0F day)1. Features would include 14 cm (5.5") of fiberglass insulation in the walls and 30 cm (11.8") in the ceiling with triple pane glass windows. This latter housing design will further aid in an assessment of maximum potential direct solar energy use combined with a greater degree of housing insulation . In order to ascertain the space heating energy demand, mean monthly heating degree-days (HDD) based on the period 1941-1970 can be used in conjunction with the HLC of the house as follows: Space Heating Demand = HDD ? HLC x A (1) where A is the house floor space area. Heating degree-days are reported with a base of 65°F (18.3°C). The assumption is made that space heating is needed when the average daily temperature drops below this value. In reality, with increases in housing insulation, a lower threshold value may be appropriate. However, the reported values presently use this threshold (3) and these will be used in this study. Assumed monthly values of hot water energy demand were used (Table 1). (4) These values were based on a typical family of four with water source temperature data representative of Nashville. Naturally, values would vary according to family practices and locality where water source temperatures may be somewhat different. For this study, the same values in Table 1 were applied to all sites. Compared to space heating demand in winter, errors in these hot water energy values would contribute a relatively small error to the total energy demand. Thus, the total monthly energy demand (E) is the sum of the space and hot water heating demands obtained from equation 1 and Table 1. ESTIMATION OF AVAILABLE SOLAR RADIATION. Solar radiation measurements are presently being collected by a network of only 39 stations maintained by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric...

CLIMATOLOGY: THE CHALLENGE FOR THE EIGHTIES

Geographical climatology must systematically investigate the exchanges of heat, water, and momentum that occur at or near the earth's surface. Our discipline should focus upon surface features described under the general term “topoclimatology”as well as upon transfer processes occurring in the planetary boundary layer. Climatologists must increase their understanding of the synergistic relationships among climatic processes, surface features, and human actions. Methods of data collection, summary, analysis, and display also need to be improved. These challenges must be met in order that we may develop a better understanding of climate and improve our quantitative climatic analogues.

Les contraintes physiques et ia géographie contemporaine

Physical constraints and contemporary geography. — Perception of natural milieux varies according to the current different conceptions of geography. Human geography, neoliberal or marxist, considers them to be either insignificant or as a framework for socio-economic activities. The evolution of the French school of geography supports this conception with the result that physical geography (except for a part of geographical climatology) is evolving into an autonomous discipline which aims to describe and explain this framework while forgetting socio-economic reality. The concept of physical constraints is denned as interaction between natural elements and a space organised by man. They are within a scale or values, not on an equal footing with man but on an equal footing with other socio-economic constraints. Distinctions are made between static constraints, characterised by their temporal stability (relief, seasonal change) and dynamic constraints which are susceptible to vary in time and are expressed in terms of probability.

Future trends in geographical hydrology and climatology

Future trends in geographical hydrology and climatology