In August 2003 a large portion of Brazil received scanty rainfall. However, the rainfall was slightly above normal, especially, in the North and the Southeast regions of the country. In the South region, except the northwestern portion of the state of Paraná, the rainfall was less than normal. The relative humidity over central Brazil was very low, reaching values as low as 10% to 30%, especially in the afternoon hours.

This month was the coolest month of the winter season (June, July, August) in terms of mean temperatures. The incursions of the cold air masses during the month caused ocasional freezes in the South, Southeast and Central-West regions of Brazil.

In the central equatorial Pacific Ocean the Sea Surface Temperatures (SST) continued to be normal, i. e., without signs of development of El Niño or La Niña phenomenon.

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