Three-Dimensional Climatology of Upper-Level Wind Speed Trends for Brazil from 1980–2014

Upper-level air flow is an important component of regional and global atmospheric circulation that influences day-to-day weather on Earth's surface. Previous research has examined the temporal and geographic relationship between surface and upper-level wind speeds using in-situ and radiosonde data following a two-dimensional approach for the Northern Hemisphere. Consequently, this study utilizes radiosonde and three climate reanalysis data to recognize relationships between Brazilian surface and upper-air wind speed trends through three-dimensional visualization during 1980–2014. Seasonal and annual wind speeds are computed at mandatory levels (1000, 925, 850, 700, 500, and 250 mb) of the atmosphere for each radiosonde and reanalysis dataset. Statistical tests (regression and correlation) are used to determine if any spatial and temporal trends exist across Brazil. The outcome of the wind speeds trends are further analyzed and examined at each mandatory level by constructing three-dimensional model using geographical information systems. The results from this analysis not only allow us to visually identify how wind trends change not only from geographic and temporal scale but from an atmospheric pressure perspective. Ultimately, the goal of the study is to understand how geographic, oceanic, and/or atmospheric variables may influence upper-level wind speed trends across Brazil.