Pluviometric patterns in the São Francisco River basin in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the spatial-temporal variability of precipitation in the Minas Gerais section of the São Francisco River basin, an area of substantial socio-environmental relevance for the country and which has presented recent events of water scarcity. Multivariate and non-parametric statistical analyses were applied to the monthly precipitation data from 131 pluviometric stations, covering a period from 1989 to 2018. The results indicated distinct homogeneous pluviometric regions with greater spatial variability in rainfall patterns in the southern regions of the basin. Results from the temporal analysis indicated seasonality in the rainfall patterns for all seasons, with the rainy period predominantly occurring between October and March for the entire Minas Gerais section of the São Francisco River basin. No rainfall trend was identified in 78% of the stations, with the other stations (22%) showing a trend toward a reduction in rainfall volume.