The month of August 2006 was marked by less rainfall than the climatological mean in most parts of Brazil. In general, the maximum and minimum temperatures were above normal in many parts of the country. As a consequence, the relative humidity values were very low, especially in the first half of the month. The last two frontal incursions of the month (towards the end of the month) brought cooler temperatures in southern Brazil.

The surface and subsurface temperatures in the Tropical Pacific Ocean increased in this month compared to July. The trade winds were weaker over the central eastern parts of the ocean. The OLR anomalies showed more convective activity over the western Tropical Pacific and less precipitation over the Australian continent and Indonesia. The evolution of this situation indicates the beginning of the warm phase of the ENSO phenomenon.

Less-than-normal rainfall in many river basins resulted in the decrease of river discharge observed at many hydrological stations in the country. The exceptions were some stations in the Parana Basin, Southeast Atlantic Basin and Uruguay Basin, where slight increases over the normal values were registered.

The vegetation fires detected in the country during the month showed a large increase of 300% in relation to the last month (July). This increase is consistent with the dry period of the year in southeastern, central-western and northern regions of Brazil.

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