There are only a few days left until the start of winter in Brazil, but high temperatures and a lack of rainfall are expected to remain throughout the country. To help ev

There are only a few days left until the start of winter in Brazil, but high temperatures and a lack of rainfall are expected to remain throughout the country. To help everyone prepare for the official arrival of the season on June 21, experts from Meteum, an AI-powered weather forecasting platform, have analyzed the country's main cities and reveal what to expect in the coming weeks.

There are only a few days left until the start of winter in Brazil, but high temperatures and a lack of rainfall are expected to remain throughout the country. To help everyone prepare for the official arrival of the season on June 21, experts from Meteum, an AI-powered weather forecasting platform, have analyzed the country's main cities and reveal what to expect in the coming weeks.

In all states of the federative republic, seasonal temperature norms will be exceeded, and only in Rio Grande do Sul the thermal anomaly insignificant. The deviation from the multi-year average is forecasted to be +0.4°C (16.1°C) in Porto Alegre. This is likely related to the large-scale flooding in May in the region. As large areas are still underwater, they do not heat up well and release less heat into the lower layers of the atmosphere.

All weather information including forecasts, weather radar, and alerts is available in the Weather by [Meteum app for iOS and Android](https://redirect.appmetrica.yandex.com/serve/1037341602000971858). 

### Temperature

In other states, **significant exceedances of typical winter temperatures are expected**. Meteum meteorologists believe that the highest anomalies will be recorded in the Central-West region and some neighboring areas: in Mato Grosso, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, Rondônia, Paraná, and São Paulo. New records of seasonal winter temperatures are forecasted in Belém, São Luís, and Campo Grande. So, the winter of 2024 will be unusually hot across Brazil, except for Porto Alegre and its surroundings
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**Compared to 2023, winter will be warmer in the central states of Brazil and slightly cooler in the north and the far south of the country.**

For each month of winter and for every major city in the republic, the average monthly temperatures will be significantly higher than the climatic norm. For example, in Fortaleza, Manaus, Belém, and São Luís in July, the coldest month of the year, the average temperatures over 31 days will reach 27-28°C. It is expected that in Belém, July, August, and September will be the hottest in the last 30 years.

### Precipitation

There will be a lack of rainfall across the entire country, except for the north of Roraima and Amapá, as well as the eastern part of the country. Precipitation will be below the multi-year average in all major cities, except for Recife. For example, in Brasília and Goiânia, the amount of rainfall will be three times less than usual, and in Belo Horizonte and Campo Grande – two times less.

Compared to 2023, the upcoming Brazilian winter will be wetter for one-third of the regional capitals: Salvador, Fortaleza, Curitiba, Manaus, Recife, Belém, São Luís, and São Paulo. For example, in Manaus, after an extremely dry last year, three times more rain is expected – up to 300 mm. In the Brazilian Highlands, on the contrary, drier conditions are forecasted. Meteorologists also believe that in Rio Grande do Sul and Porto Alegre, there will be 1.5 times less rainfall than last year – about 400 mm.
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The rainiest month for most cities is September. During this period, the maximum seasonal precipitation is expected in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Manaus, Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Goiânia, Porto Alegre, and Campo Grande. Only for the Atlantic coast in the north and northeast of the country will July be the rainiest. In the central part of the republic – Brasília, Belo Horizonte, and Goiânia – July is expected to have no days with precipitation. In the neighboring Campo Grande, it will also be dry (up to 7 mm).






Winter in Brazil will be hot: in all states of the federative republic, seasonal temperature norms will be exceeded


What causes ball lightning? What is ball lightning? This is our pick of the most mind-boggling facts about ball lightning. Let's unriddle at least some of the riddles.

Ball lightning is described as shining spherical objects floating around or hovering above the ground. Most of the eye-witness accounts describe this enigmatic phenomenon as balls of fire or electricity. Despite plenty of evidence that exists, scientists are not any closer to figuring it out, and we see more and more wild speculations about these mysterious spheres of light. The internet is full of ball lightning photos believed to be real. However, most of them are manipulated images.
What causes ball lightning? What is ball lightning? This is our pick of the most mind-boggling facts about ball lightning. Let's unriddle at least some of the riddles.
 
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![Authentic zoomed out images of ball lightning at varying times. Source: journals.aps.org/](https://avatars.mds.yandex.net/get-weather/5278294/DYEqxHxNxcYUfxWQJKam/orig)

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Authentic zoomed out images of ball lightning at varying times. Source: journals.aps.org
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## Amazing facts about ball lightning: 

- There is no accepted theory for what causes it or what it is made of (there are over 400 existing hypotheses that describe the nature of ball lightning). One of the theories suggests that these balls of fire consist of electrons and force-activated ions. Some scientists agree that the origin of this phenomenon is sustained by electromagnetic waves generated when the Earth's crust fractures. When the Earth's surface is shaking during an earthquake or minor shocks, these flows of electromagnetic waves soar into the air giving rise to luminescent spheres.
Due to the nature of this rare phenomenon having a lifetime of a few seconds, scientists have not succeeded in making extensive observations of these luminous spheres or in studying their properties.
- Ball lightning is common during thunderstorms. At other times, its causes have no relation to weather conditions.
- All attempts to produce ball lightning in the lab proved to be fruitless: though some motley crews of scientists could bring luminous objects to life, none of them could re-create the original nature of these objects.  The thing is ball lightning looks like plasma bubbles that can't last long in lab conditions.
- A "typical" ball lighting is the size of a cabbage head. There were rare eye-witnesses saying the hovering objects varied from several millimeters to few meters in diameter. Ball lightning can take different forms: it can be round, pear-shaped, circular, ellipsoid, to name just a few.
 
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![Ball lightning that went down into the house through the chimney. Engraving, 1886 Source: wikipedia.com/](https://avatars.mds.yandex.net/get-weather/10145165/pXAOICONtFFOoVGINHwb/orig)

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Ball lightning that went down into the house through the chimney. Engraving, 1886 Source: wikipedia.com
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- According to the research made by Alexander Grigoriev, a scientist from the city of Yaroslavl, Russia, ball lightning lasts for seconds to hours and vanishes following no particular pattern: either silently or with a blast, disappearing when striking the ground or hitting any type of conductor.

- Ball lightning emits light: sometimes dim, sometimes very intense. Ball lighting can travel at speed ranging from a few centimeters per minute to tens of meters per second.

- These floating spheres can range in color from white to yellow to green, or be even translucent.

- Information about the dangers caused by ball lightning varies enormously: while some witnesses struck by the sphere say they have not suffered any burns, others claim they saw ball lightning setting a haystack alight or even killed people.
 
- Most commonly, ball lightning zips around 1.5 meters above the ground. Still further, it can go several kilometers up from the ground.

- In 1963, ball lightning passed through a US passenger aircraft and vanished instantly not hurting anyone aboard or causing damage to the plane.

- Medveditsk ridge (Russia) located at the border of the Saratov and Volgograd regions is considered to be an anomaly site with the biggest number of ball lightning occurrences across the globe.




Ball lightning. What causes ball lightning? The most incredible facts about this phenomenon


Imagine a wave so powerful it can level entire coastal cities and travel across oceans at the speed of a jet plane. This isn't science fiction — it's the awe-inspiring an

Imagine a wave so powerful it can level entire coastal cities and travel across oceans at the speed of a jet plane. This isn't science fiction — it's the awe-inspiring and terrifying reality of tsunamis, one of nature’s most destructive forces.

Imagine a wave so powerful it can level entire coastal cities and travel across oceans at the speed of a jet plane. This isn't science fiction — it's the awe-inspiring and terrifying reality of tsunamis, one of nature’s most destructive forces.
## What are tsunamis?

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![Waves crashing against a pier during a storm. Image by George Desipris/](https://avatars.mds.yandex.net/get-weather/10145165/hgGFJzIHefbpWhVJNOTk/orig)

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Waves crashing against a pier during a storm. Image by George Desipris
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Tsunamis, often mistakenly called “tidal waves,” are series of ocean waves triggered by the sudden displacement of large volumes of water. Unlike wind-generated waves that only affect the ocean’s surface, tsunamis [involve](https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/terms-describe-measurement-tsunamis) water movement from the surface all the way to the ocean floor.

The name “tsunami” comes from Japanese and translates literally to “[harbor wave](https://www.sms-tsunami-warning.com/pages/tsunami-definition).” Although its original meaning isn’t entirely descriptive, it’s the term we’ve adopted for these phenomena.

When a tsunami is generated, it can travel at [astonishing speeds](https://appliedsciences.nasa.gov/what-we-do/disasters/tsunamis) in the open ocean — up to 500 mph (800 km/h), comparable to a jet airplane. However, in deep water, tsunami waves may be barely noticeable, often only a foot or two high (30–60 cm). It’s only as they approach shallower coastal waters that tsunamis slow down and grow in height, potentially reaching over 100 feet (30 meters) tall.

The destructive potential of tsunamis is staggering. Between 1998 and 2017, tsunamis [caused](https://www.who.int/health-topics/tsunamis#tab=tab_1) more than 250,000 deaths globally, including over 227,000 deaths in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami alone. The 2011 Tohoku tsunami in Japan [reached](https://appliedsciences.nasa.gov/our-impact/story/ten-years-after-japan-tsunami) heights of up to 133 feet (40.5 meters) and penetrated up to 6 miles (10 km) inland, causing widespread destruction and triggering a major nuclear disaster.
## What causes tsunamis?
The most common cause of tsunamis is underwater earthquakes. When tectonic plates suddenly shift along a fault line beneath the ocean, they can displace enormous amounts of water, setting a tsunami in motion. However, tsunamis can also be triggered by:
* Underwater landslides
* Onshore landslides in which large volumes of debris fall into the water 
* Volcanic eruptions
* Meteorite impacts (rare but possible)
## How does a tsunami wave work?

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![Tsunami progression. Image by BBC/](https://avatars.mds.yandex.net/get-weather/10145165/bUvMXRdgklMdwRIaEQKs/orig)

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Tsunami progression. Image by BBC
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The [mechanics of a tsunami](https://www.sciencefocus.com/planet-earth/how-do-tsunamis-form) wave are fascinating, involving complex physical processes that transform a barely noticeable disturbance in the open ocean into a potentially devastating force at the coastline. Let’s explore the journey of a tsunami from its origin to its coastal impact:
1. **Activation**: When an underwater disturbance occurs, such as an earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption, it displaces a large volume of water. This [displacement](https://www.maine.gov/mema/maine-prepares/preparedness-library/tsunami-wave-mechanics) can be caused by vertical movement of the ocean floor, often less than three feet (one meter), but covering a vast area. The enormous volume of water displaced creates a series of waves that spread out in all directions from the source.
2. **Build**: In the open ocean, tsunami waves are deceptively small. However, what makes tsunamis unique is their incredibly long wavelength, which can [stretch](https://www.sciencefocus.com/planet-earth/how-do-tsunamis-form) up to 125 miles (200 km) between wave crests. This long wavelength means that the entire water column, from surface to seafloor, is in motion, even in the deepest parts of the ocean. The long wavelength also contributes to the tsunami’s remarkable speed.
3. **Formation**: Each wave has a peak and a trough, and sometimes the trough of a tsunami reaches land before the peak. This causes a [drawback](https://www.sms-tsunami-warning.com/pages/tsunami-drawback) where the tide seems to recede hundreds of meters further than usual. This drawback lasts for about six minutes before the peak reaches shore.
4. **Approach**: As the tsunami approaches shallower coastal waters, its behavior changes dramatically. The wave speed decreases due to friction with the seafloor, but the energy of the wave remains largely constant. This causes the wave height to increase significantly, a process known as [shoaling](https://earthweb.ess.washington.edu/tsunami/general/physics/transform.html).
5. **Impact**: When a tsunami reaches the shore, it can manifest as a massive wall of water or, deceptively, as a rapid rise in water level — like a river flowing incredibly fast. Tsunamis don’t just crash and recede like regular waves do. They can continue to [surge](https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/tsunamis/tsunami-propagation) inland for several minutes, carrying debris and causing widespread destruction.
## Measuring tsunami strength
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![Exaggerated tsunami devastating a city. Image by DALL·E/](https://avatars.mds.yandex.net/get-weather/10145165/phwIUfkQavWXHftasthW/orig)

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Exaggerated tsunami devastating a city. Image by DALL·E
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Several scales and methods are used to quantify the size and impact of tsunamis:

**Tsunami intensity scales**
* Sieberg-Ambraseys scale: This is a 6-point scale that describes the physical effects of a tsunami. However, it has been [criticized](https://web.mit.edu/12.000/www/m2009/teams/1/scales1.html) for not being detailed enough for modern use.
* Papadopoulos-Imamura scale: A more recent 12-point scale that aims to provide a more detailed and sensitive measure of tsunami intensity. It’s [based](https://web.mit.edu/12.000/www/m2009/teams/1/scales1.html) on the tsunami’s effects on humans, objects, and buildings, similar to earthquake intensity scales.

**Tsunami magnitude scales**
* Soloviev-Imamura scale: This scale [uses](https://web.mit.edu/12.000/www/m2009/teams/1/scales1.html) the maximum tsunami wave height to calculate a magnitude value.
* Abe magnitude scale: Developed by Katsuyuki Abe, this scale [relates](https://web.mit.edu/12.000/www/m2009/teams/1/scales1.html) tsunami energy to earthquake magnitude and distance from the source.

**Other measurement and description methods**
* Inundation and run-up: These [measure](https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/terms-describe-measurement-tsunamis) how far inland and how high above sea level the tsunami waters reach, respectively.
* Flow depth: This [refers](https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/terms-describe-measurement-tsunamis) to the depth of tsunami waters at various onshore locations.
* DART (deep-ocean assessment and reporting of tsunamis) systems: These deep-ocean buoys can [detect](https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/tsunamis/detection-warning-and-forecasting) and measure tsunamis as they pass, providing real-time data for warning systems.
## Mitigating tsunami damage
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![A modern seawall on the Isle of Wight, England. Image by Oikos-team/](https://avatars.mds.yandex.net/get-weather/10879918/ZJmMXHnuktEOElrIUvom/orig)

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A modern seawall on the Isle of Wight, England. Image by Oikos-team
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Given the immense destructive potential of tsunamis, early warning systems are crucial. NASA and other agencies are working on improving tsunami detection and warning capabilities. For example, a network of over 1,600 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) ground stations can [detect](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2019.00350/full) tectonic activity and [feed](https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/learn/sensing-our-planet/sizing-a-tsunami) data into models that predict potential tsunami activity.

Other mitigation strategies include building seawalls and floodgates, implementing evacuation plans, and conducting public education programs. Some countries, like Japan, even maintain or plant [coastal forests](https://phys.org/news/2016-08-seawalls-coastal-forests-japan-tsunami.html) to act as natural barriers against tsunamis.

What makes tsunamis particularly dangerous is their unpredictability. Unlike hurricanes or tornadoes, which can be forecast days in advance, tsunamis can strike with little warning, making rapid and accurate early warning systems vital for saving lives.

Understanding the science behind tsunamis not only satisfies our curiosity about these powerful natural phenomena but also helps us develop better prediction and protection strategies. As we continue to study and respect the awesome power of our oceans, we improve our ability to coexist with these forces of nature.

Accurate weather forecasts, weather radar and alerts are available in the app [Weather by Meteum for iOS and Android](https://redirect.appmetrica.yandex.com/serve/1037341602000971858).

The incredible power of tsunamis: Nature’s most destructive force


In spite of the long history of weather forecasting, the accuracy of most modern methods leaves a lot to be desired. That’s why we’d looked at the available solutions, no

In spite of the long history of weather forecasting, the accuracy of most modern methods leaves a lot to be desired. That’s why we’d looked at the available solutions, noted their weak spots, and built Meteum — the most powerful forecasting platform to date.

Depending on who you ask, weather forecasting has been around for hundreds or even thousands of years. Having an idea of whether it rains on a particular day is endlessly convenient, yes — but it’s also hard to overstate the importance of weather tech for many modern industries. Although it may seem that weather forecasting is solely a consumer-focused product, many businesses and government institutions depend on it, and an inaccurate forecast can easily cost millions.

In spite of the long history of weather forecasting, the accuracy of most modern methods leaves a lot to be desired. That’s why we’d looked at the available solutions, noted their weak spots, and built Meteum — the most powerful forecasting platform to date.

## Why Meteum?
 

We don’t collect someone else’s weather data only to relay it in a pretty package. Instead, we aggregate it from several providers, who themselves collect their data from a vast array of sources, such as weather balloons, aircrafts, satellites, on-ground stations, and radars. Then we let our models analyze this data to derive the ultimate forecasts, which we transmit to more than 50 million of our end-users.

Here’s how it works: Meteum parses a number of different forecasts — one conducted by our own team of meteorologists and the rest incoming from third-party providers. All of them are generated using various meteorological models, both proprietary and open-source. But no model is completely fail-safe, and the astounding volume of data we collect makes it practically impossible for humans to handle. The good news is that our own AI algorithms can find patterns by juxtaposing past forecasts with actual weather history and output the optimal combination where the forecasts all align with each other.

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![Источник: meteum//](https://avatars.mds.yandex.net/get-weather/10931474/IvsnTFWQtOsSzjOciqow/orig)

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Meteum. Weather forecasting technology 

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In addition to AI-generated forecasts for the week, Meteum also provides precise information about precipitation expected within two hours, split into ten-minute intervals. This info is presented to users in map form; the app sends rain alerts when appropriate. The assessments are made with the help of machine learning, satellite imagery, and radar data. Meteum considers various factors, such as the height of the Sun above the horizon, humidity, and altitude.

 

## Introducing: User Reports
 

It’s no easy feat for a weather app to correctly reflect the conditions you see from the window: weather stations are typically sparsely located and follow a strict schedule when taking measurements. Conditions can vary drastically even within the same city: the Earth’s atmosphere is prone to unexpected shifts, which are insanely difficult to predict. It doesn’t help that seeing this stark contrast between a “perfectly clear” report on one’s phone screen and the raging downpour outside raises questions about the forecast’s reliability. But there is a way to display current weather: meteorology buffs refer to this as nowcasting. Meteum uses a mix of mathematical models and recent data from weather stations — but this alone doesn’t quite hit the accuracy mark we’re striving for.

That’s where we innovate: Meteum is the world’s first weather system to base its forecasts not only on measurements made with professional equipment but also on user reports. In our weather app, users can provide instant feedback: for instance, to confirm whether it’s still raining at their location. Every day, Meteum receives up to 3 million user reports from around the globe, and we use this feedback to generate a precipitation map that shows the rain zones with near-perfect accuracy. The reports are also used in training our algorithms to make future now- and forecasts even better.

We’ve come a long way with Meteum and now have a robust system capable of delivering remarkable forecasts — some of the most accurate you’ll find on the market.

But the sky’s the limit, and Meteum continues to improve, adding new data sources and perpetually collecting user reports to train our algorithms. With Meteum, you can weatherproof your decisions with state-of-the-art forecasting solutions tailored to your industry’s or your business’s needs. 



Meteum: weather forecasting technology with proprietary AI-based data processing core


Click this link to discover the essential characteristics of El Niño and La Niña. Understand the fundamental distinctions between these two climatic events.

Discover the essential characteristics of El Niño and La Niña. Understand the fundamental distinctions between these two climatic events.


The dance between El Niño and La Niña, two significant climatic phenomena, is all about the geographic distribution of heat: it shapes the weather patterns around the equatorial Pacific Ocean. El Niño emerges as a warming phase in the Eastern and Equatorial Pacific, while its counterpart, La Niña, brings anomalous heat to the Western and Tropical Pacific.

Together, they partake in a global rhythm that affects the Equatorial Pacific Ocean and extends its reach to the South American coastlines and the broader Pacific. This delicate equilibrium is pivotal to understanding the climatic intricacies that drive atmospheric circulation, forest fires, rainfall patterns, and even fish crop across our planet.

### What are El Niño and La Niña?

El Niño is characterized by the abnormal warming of ocean waters in the central and eastern Pacific, while La Niña is identified by the abnormal cooling of these same waters.

These irregular cycles are not just oceanic events; they resonate globally. Their influences extend far beyond their Pacific origin, dictating weather alterations across continents. The irregular nature of El Niño and La Niña means that they aren’t always in full swing: some years are actually free of anomalies. Nevertheless, recognizing the heating caused by El Niño and the cooling caused by La Niña is essential for predicting and understanding the vast array of meteorological impacts they induce.

### Characteristics of El Niño and La Niña

The defining traits of El Niño and La Niña, two formidable climatic phenomena, hinge on three key characteristics: 

- Duration
- Intensity
- Typical onset dates

El Niño episodes often present with elevated sea surface temperatures that persist for several months, manifesting an intensity that can alter global weather patterns. In contrast, La Niña is noted for a cooling phase that can endure beyond the span of a year, underscoring the formidable magnitude of its impact.

The initiation of these episodes follows a natural, yet unpredictable cadence, with El Niño typically beginning in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean around late spring of the Southern Hemisphere. La Niña, often following El Niño’s lead, tends to emerge during autumn. This rhythm of heating and cooling significantly influences seasonal weather patterns, from intensifying rainfall to prolonging droughts, demonstrating a powerful sway over the Earth’s atmospheric systems.

### Causes of El Niño and La Niña

Both El Niño and La Niña are deeply rooted in the dynamics of the Pacific Ocean and the Earth’s atmosphere, particularly through the interplay of trade winds, thermocline variations, and oceanic upwelling. Trade winds typically blow westward across the Tropical Pacific, piling up warm surface waters in the west and allowing cooler waters to rise near South America, a process known as upwelling. 
During El Niño, these winds weaken or may even reverse, reducing upwelling and causing a shallow thermocline, leading to an extensive warming of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. This shift in heat distribution disrupts the Walker circulation, a pattern of atmospheric circulation that normally sees air rising in the warm west and falling in the cooler east, thus impacting weather systems on a global scale. West Pacific is particularly impacted, manifesting in less precipitation in countries like Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines.
On the flip side, La Niña occurs when these trade winds strengthen beyond their normal intensity, enhancing the upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich waters along the equatorial Pacific. This process deepens the thermocline and expands the area of cooler water at the surface. The strengthened Walker circulation cells during La Niña can lead to drought in the Eastern Pacific and increased rainfall in the Western Pacific.


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![Source: www.climate-science.press](https://avatars.mds.yandex.net/get-weather/10931474/TbIGvsjzeLKsqXslHvgk/orig)

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Source: www.climate-science.press 
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These complex interactions between the ocean and atmosphere during El Niño and La Niña episodes influence the local weather and trigger a cascade of effects that can alter global climate patterns. This includes shifts in jet streams, variations in storm tracks, and the distribution of heat and precipitation around the planet. As such, the study of these phenomena is crucial for forecasting weather and understanding the broader impacts on ecosystems, agriculture, water resources, and human societies.

### Effects and Consequences

El Niño and La Niña exert profound global impacts, yielding a range of consequences that touch every corner of the Earth. Their influence is most noticeable in altered temperatures and precipitation patterns, which go on to dictate not only the health of natural ecosystems but also the viability of human activities such as agriculture and fishing.

During El Niño, the warming of the Pacific Ocean can lead to increased rainfall in some regions while causing drought in others. In agricultural terms, this can result in decreased yields in drought-stricken areas, while potentially boosting growth where the rains are bountiful. However, too much rain can also be bad news for mountainous regions like Peru. The fishing industry also feels the impact, as warmer waters disrupt marine life’s food chains and habitats, often leading to poor catches.

Conversely, La Niña typically promotes cooler atmospheric conditions and increases the intensity and frequency of rainfall in places such as the Western Pacific and the Northeast of South America. This can benefit crops that depend on water, but excessive rainfall can also cause devastating floods that destroy crops and infrastructure. In the fishing industry, the cooler waters associated with La Niña can lead to an abundance of marine life in certain areas as nutrient-rich cold water rises to the surface.

The economic effects of these climatic events are significant. They can lead to fluctuations in commodity prices, influence energy demand, and require businesses to adapt their strategies to cope with the variable supply of raw materials and goods. The uncertainty and risk associated with El Niño and La Niña underscore the need for businesses to have access to accurate climate forecasts.

In light of these challenges, it is crucial for companies to stay informed and prepared. Understanding the potential business implications of these phenomena is key to mitigating risks and capitalizing on opportunities. For a deeper dive into how El Niño and La Niña could impact your business and for tailored strategies to navigate these meteorological challenges, contact us to book a consultation with our expert meteorologists at [Meteum. Weather Solutions for Business](https://b2b.meteum.ai/api). Our team can provide you with the insights and forecasts necessary to make informed decisions, protect your interests, and drive your business forward in any climate.

### El Niño and La Niña in Brazil

El Niño and La Niña distinctly mark their presence in Brazil, a country with a tapestry of climates and terrains. In Brazil, El Niño is often synonymous with drought in the Northeast and floods in the South. The scarcity of rain in the North hampers agriculture, strains water resources, and challenges daily life. Conversely, the South sees heavy rains, resulting in floods that overflow rivers, damage crops, and displace communities.

La Niña brings a contrasting touch to the Brazilian climate. It typically alleviates the dry conditions in the Northeast, offering some respite to the parched lands, yet it can also mean less rainfall for the South, occasionally leading to water shortages and impacting hydroelectric power generation.

With its economic hub São Paulo, the Southeast experiences irregular patterns during these periods, which can affect the region’s powerhouse status by influencing water supply and energy production. The ebb and flow of these phenomena underscore the need for regional resilience and adaptive strategies to weather the effects of these powerful climatic forces. Understanding these patterns is vital for Brazil's preparedness and response to the environmental and economic challenges posed by El Niño and La Niña.

### Conclusion

In conclusion, El Niño and La Niña serve as pivotal forces in the global climatic narrative, each with distinct characteristics, causes, and far-reaching effects. They orchestrate changes in weather patterns that extend well beyond their Pacific epicenter, influencing temperatures, precipitation, and the livelihoods of communities worldwide. 

As we unravel the complexities of these phenomena, we glean a deeper understanding of Earth’s intricate weather systems, equipping us to anticipate and respond to their profound environmental and socioeconomic impacts. Their study is not merely academic but a necessity for a world that must adapt to an ever-changing climatic stage.

### FAQ

### What are El Niño and La Niña?
El Niño and La Niña are climatic events characterized by significant temperature deviations in the Pacific Ocean, impacting global weather patterns.

### What is the El Niño effect?
The El Niño effect refers to the extensive warming of the Pacific Ocean waters, influencing atmospheric circulation and climate anomalies worldwide.

### How do El Niño and La Niña influence climate?
These phenomena alter global climate patterns, causing variations in precipitation and temperature, leading to extreme weather events across different continents.

### Which is better, El Niño or La Niña?
“Better” is subjective; each phenomenon has distinct impacts, with El Niño typically associated with warming and La Niña with cooling global weather patterns.



El Niño and La Niña: What They Are, Differences

During the course of a month, the Moon goes through several phases. The major Moon phases are the new moon, the first quarter, the full moon, and the third quarter. As a 

During the course of a month, the Moon goes through several phases. The major Moon phases are the new moon, the first quarter, the full moon, and the third quarter. As a matter of fact, the Moon displays eight main phases. We'll dive deeper into these phases to find out why this Earth's most constant companion changes its appearance night after night.

During the course of a month, the Moon goes through several phases. The major Moon phases are the new moon, the first quarter, the full moon, and the third quarter. As a matter of fact, the Moon displays eight main phases. We'll dive deeper into these phases to find out why this Earth's most constant companion changes its appearance night after night.


## Understanding the phases of the Moon

Lunar phases are the shapes of the visible part of the satellite from Earth's perspective. Fun fact: the illuminated edge of the Moon's visible surface is called the limb, while the line that separates the illuminated and the shaded sections is the Moon's terminator (a word derived from the Latin "terminare", which means "to set bounds to").

As the Moon goes around the Earth, the Sun illuminates different parts of the Moon, which changes its appearance and creates lunar phases.

Examples of terminology relating to lunar phases that is commonly used by the scientific community:
* The Moon cycle, which is one full orbit by our Moon around the Earth. It takes 29.5 days.
* A Synodic month, or a Lunation, being the time between two successive new moons.
* The age of the Moon, which is the number of days since the last new moon.

![](https://avatars.mds.yandex.net/get-weather/10931474/aFgVIzcPdWaciFZlGEiB/orig)

## A guide to the phases of the Moon

There are 4 major phases of the Moon — the full moon, the new moon, the first and the last quarters. The 4 minor phases are waxing crescent, waxing gibbous, waning gibbous, and waning crescent. The major phases of the Moon occur about 7.4 days apart.

**New moon**

The Moon is between the Sun and the Earth. Thus, the side of the Moon facing the Earth is in shadow.

**Waxing crescent**

This phase follows the new moon, as the Moon starts to "grow". We only see the edge of the part that is gradually illuminated by the Sun.

**First quarter**

The Moon has completed 1/4 of its orbit around the Earth. Half of the Moon's surface is illuminated by the Sun.

**Waxing gibbous**

More than half of the Moon’s surface visible from Earth is illuminated.

**Full moon**

During this phase, the Earth is positioned between the Moon and the Sun, which illuminates the entire near-side of the satellite. We can enjoy the round appearance of the full moon all night long.

**Waning gibbous**

After the full moon, the illuminated part of the Moon begins to wane. During this phase, the surface of the Moon that we see from the Earth is still mostly illuminated.

**Last quarter**

The Moon looks like it is half illuminated.

**Waning crescent**

The final phase of the Moon before transitioning back into the new moon. Only a small, crescent-shaped sliver of the Moon is visible, which is diminishing in size.

![](https://avatars.mds.yandex.net/get-weather/10931474/oZYbnQGKEjDVrFluxqWQ/orig)


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