Air temperature
In the state of Espírito Santo, meteorological stations with historical data are found in a very limited number and poorly distributed, making it difficult to assess the spatial and temporal variation of meteorological elements used in agricultural planning activities, such as temperature and rainfall. For the development of the work, air temperature data were collected in standard thermometer shelters at 14 meteorological stations belonging to INCAPER and INMET, distributed throughout the state of Espírito Santo, considering the period from 1977 to 2006 (30 years). Equations for estimating air temperature were developed through multiple linear regression analysis (with independent variables being altitude, latitude, and longitude of the stations, and air temperature as the dependent variable). Monthly average data of maximum, mean, and minimum air temperatures were used as the basis for determining the coefficients of the equations. The adjusted coefficient of determination and the significance of the coefficients were evaluated. The spatialization of the annual mean air temperature for the entire state was carried out with the aid of a digital elevation model (DEM), generated from SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) radar data.
Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the State of Espírito Santo
Much of the territory of the state ranges in altitude from 0 to 300 meters, comprising almost the entire north and the Itapemirim River valley to the south, as well as the entire coastal strip. These regions have an average annual temperature above 24°C, while the southern mountainous region has, for the most part, an average annual temperature between 18°C and 22°C, with the highest peaks having an average annual temperature lower than 18°C.
Maps of monthly average temperatures show spatial and temporal variability of the climate in the state. The coldest region of Espírito Santo coincides with the Serra do Caparaó, which has an average temperature below 2°C for the month of July, which is the coldest month. The low temperature value for this region is justified by its being the highest portion of the state at around 2,800 meters above sea level. The mountainous region to the south of the state also has reduced values of average air temperature, but with values above 14°C for the same month of July. The hottest part of the state corresponds to the northern region, the coastal region, and part of the Itapemirim River Basin (southern state), which have a monthly average temperature above 24°C, except for the period between June and September. During this period, there is a predominance of monthly average temperatures between 16°C and 22°C in the central area of Espírito Santo. The hottest month was February with an average maximum temperature close to 29°C, when 63.1% of the state had an average annual temperature above 24°C.
Annual average temperature
Monthly averages of maximum temperature
