The month of July 2004 started with high temperatures and very little rainfall over most parts of Brazil. In the Northeast Brazil the rains were associated mostly with sea breeze and the formation of convective complexes near the coast line of the states of Rio Grande do Norte and Paraiba. An active cold front in the northeast coast in the beginning of the second fortnight of the month favored increased humidity convergence over the coastal belt of this region. The cold air masses in the wake of the frontal boundaries were responsible for steep drops in the temperature in southern and southeastern Brazil.

The area of warm surface waters in the Central Equatorial Pacific registered a slight intensification and expansion. However, the SST pattern does not indicate an ENSO configuration.

The bush and forest fires (as indicated by hot spots in the satellite imagery) have increased considerably in this month in most parts of Brazil. Although this is typical of the dry season, manmade biomass burning is mostly responsible for the increase.

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