"Verão e inverno amazônico”: perspectiva meteorológica e a percepção dos moradores do município de Manaus/AM

Abstract

In this research, we sought to understand the Manaus municipality climate dynamics, located in the Amazonas state, under the specificity of the "Amazonian summer and winter", through the classic scientific approach and the climate perception of the residents of this municipality. In order to do so, it was sought to understand the empirical and scientific definition of "Amazonian summer and winter", correlating with the concepts of austral summer and winter, through the analysis of meteorological data and the Manaus urban and rural resident perception. Thus, a qualitative-quantitative research was carried out with a bibliographic survey and obtaining primary and secondary data. Secondary data referring to insolation, cloud cover, precipitation and temperature were obtained from the Climatological Normal (1981-2010) collected from the Conventional Meteorological Station – INMET. The primary data were obtained through participant research and interviews with people in the historic center of Manaus and with residents of the Rural Community Frederico Veiga, located at Ramal Cláudio Mesquita, km 08 of the BR-174. After comparing the climate of Manaus and the three capitals of the South Region, it was found that the Manaus climate is different from the prevailing climate in these three capitals and that the “Amazonian summer and winter” are responsible for the changes in the landscape in Manaus. While the austral summer and winter occur in the other regions of the country, in Manaus there is the “Amazonian winter and summer”, respectively. This climatic specificity is due to the general atmosphere dynamics and the action of astronomical, geographic and meteorological factors. Astronomical factors act with the distribution of solar radiation in significant loads and throughout the year over Manaus. Physiography and latitude also contribute to local climate dynamics. Atmospheric systems such as ENSO, ITCZ, SACZ, AB and IL also exert a strong influence, shaping the climate of the municipality. Thus, according to meteorological data, the “Amazonian summer” is the dry season, occurring between June and November, characterized by increased insolation, temperatures and reduced cloud cover and rainfall. The “Amazonian winter” is the rainy season, occurring between December and May, characterized by the intensification of cloud cover, rainfall and insolation and temperatures reduction. The climate perception about the “Amazonian summer and winter” was similar between people from both environments (urban and rural). It is inferred that this fact is due to their ways of life, since both groups of interviewees work in open spaces. It was also found proximity between meteorological data and climate perception. Thus, both are complementary and can contribute to more assertive decision making. Finally, the climate perception of the residents of Manaus is in line with the data from the meteorological station, showing that the “Amazonian summer and winter” have different characteristics to the austral summer and winter.