[On the variability of rainfall and the "Rainy Season" in the Cape Verde archipelago]
1998
Correia, E.
This article presents some results obtained from a research project in course, about the characteristic of the spatial and temporal distribution of the rainfall in Cape Verde and the deriving hindrances and potentialities for the production of maize, the stapple food for the capeverdians. Some aspects of the recent behaviour of this climatic element are emphasized, particularly the sensible decrease of its total yearly and monthly amounts, and the variability of its regime during the last two decades. The rainy season is analysed from an agroclimatological point of view considering the rates of efficiency of the daily rainfalland the simulation of the water balance. The determination of its limits evidences the decrease of the period of rainfall useful for the crop, due to its comparatively early ending. The global shortage of rainfall and the incompatibility between the extent of the useful rainfall period and the number of days required by the crop growing cycle are joined, as a risk factor, by the reduced number of rain days and the consequent increase of the probabilities of occurrence of ranges of consecutive days without efficient rainfall, which can severely affect the normal growth and development of the crop, even in years where global amounts are sufficient
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