AbstractThis study examines the large‐scale tropical environment of north‐east Brazil during its 1979 rainy season. Data were primarily from the First GARP Global Experiment (FGGE). Results show that in the mean NE Brazil is south of the intertropical trough zone (ITZ) and north‐west of the South Atlantic high. This pattern results in a westward low‐level flow over the region. Immediately over NE Brazil, middle‐level subsidence and low‐level moisture divergence dominate, producing a mean local environment which is unfavourable for precipitation. During wet episodes cloudiness departures show a more active ITZ over the equatorial Atlantic. Strong sea level pressure departures are found in the vicinity of the subtropical highs indicating short period fluctuations in the Hadley cell. Locally, weaker middle‐level subsidence and weaker moisture divergence during wet episodes allow for increased convection.